THE EFFECT OF AEROBIC AND RESISTANCE TRAINING ON THE IMMUNE SYSTEM

Inonu University

Status: Invitation-only

Conditions: Sedentary Behavior

Treatments: Behavioral: Aerobic and resistance exercise

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07632911

11/03/2025-7252

Details and patient eligibility

About

Six-week exercise interventions in sedentary young women demonstrated that aerobic exercise and resistance exercise differentially optimize inflammatory and immune responses through their effects on osteocalcin and IgM, and IgA, respectively. These distinct effects of exercise modality on immune biomarkers can be utilized to design personalized exercise programs.

Full description

The effects of exercise on the immune system have been studied for many years. Regular physical activity is known to enhance the effectiveness of the immune system by modulating the inflammatory response. Regular exercise has been shown to increase individuals' physical fitness levels. Exercise is used in the prevention and treatment of various diseases. Consequently, a review of the literature reveals numerous studies indicating that regular exercise positively impacts an individual's health. Regular exercise positively affects all systems of the organism, including the immune system. Changes in the immune system after acute and chronic exercise differ. The effects of exercise on the immune system vary depending on the intensity of the exercise and the physical characteristics of the individuals. While light to moderate exercise strengthens the immune system, intense exercise can suppress it. The effects of exercise on the immune system have been the subject of much research in recent years. However, the effects of different types of exercise (aerobic and resistance training) on immune markers are still not fully understood. Inflammatory markers, particularly C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), play a critical role in assessing the effect of exercise on the immune system. In addition, immunoglobulins (IgA, IgG, IgM) are important biomarkers in evaluating the immune response. This study aims to investigate the chronic effects of a 4-week aerobic and resistance exercise program on the immune system and inflammation. Blood and saliva samples will be collected and analyzed for CRP, IL-6, TNF-α, and immunoglobulin levels. The data obtained will help us understand the specific effects of different types of exercise on inflammatory and immune responses, contributing to more informed exercise prescriptions.

Enrollment: 36 estimated patients

Sex: Female

Ages: 18 to 35 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• University students aged 18-30
• Individuals who have engaged in recreational exercise at least two days a week for the past three months
• Those with low or no smoking or alcohol consumption who volunteer to participate in the study.

Exclusion criteria

• Individuals who have had an infection or chronic illness in the last 6 months,
• Those with a history of autoimmune disease,
• Metabolic syndrome, or cardiovascular disease,
• Those who have used antibiotics or anti-inflammatory drugs in the last 3 months,
• Those who have suffered a serious injury during exercise or are unable to continue are not eligible.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Prevention

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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36 participants in 3 patient groups

Resistance exercise group

Experimental group

Description:

Exercise group completed a 6-week supervised training program consisting of three sessions per week on non-consecutive days. Each session lasted 45-60 minutes and included a standardized warm-up, main exercise phase, and cool-down. Training stimulus was controlled using both internal and external load parameters. Internal load was monitored via heart rate (HR) and rating of perceived exertion (RPE), whereas external load was defined by exercise duration, intensity, and training volume.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Aerobic and resistance exercise

Aerobic Group

Experimental group

Description:

The aerobic training group performed continuous exercise on a treadmill or cycle ergometer at 60-75% of heart rate reserve (HRR), corresponding to moderate-to-vigorous intensity. Exercise intensity was continuously monitored using HR and verified with RPE (target: 12-15). A progressive overload approach was applied, with intensity increasing from 60% HRR in the initial weeks to 70-75% HRR in the final phase.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Aerobic and resistance exercise

Control group

Experimental group

Description:

The control group maintained habitual activities and refrained from structured exercise.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Aerobic and resistance exercise