Effects of Different Exercise Intensities on Pro-/Anti-Inflammatory Cytokines after 12-week Aerobic Exercise in Hispanic Obese Females

Cytokines are molecular signalers that affect inflammation in the body and help identify the onset of chronic diseases. Research has suggested that aerobic exercise can impact cytokine activity; however, effects of aerobic training intensity on inflammatory cytokines remain elusive. Purpose: This study aims to identify the changes in pro-/anti-inflammatory cytokines following 12 weeks of aerobic exercise at low and moderate intensities on changes in inflammatory cytokines. Method: a total of 54 inactive obese middle-age Hispanic women (mean BMI = 34.6 kg/m 2 , aged 34-45) were divided into groups that participated in 12 weeks of aerobic exercise. A low intensity group (LT:walking at 55% VO 2max , n = 18), a moderate intensity group (MT:running at 70% VO 2max , n = 19), and a control group (CON: n = 17) that received no intervention. LT and MT groups performed aerobic exercises three times a week at their respective intensities, with a volume of exercise relative to their body mass. Before and after 12 weeks of intervention, body composition and visceral adipose tissue mass (VAT) were measured using DXA and blood samples were taken to measure changes in Adiponectin, C-reactive protein (CRP) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). Two-way repeated measures ANOVA with Tukey post hoc test was utilized to analyze data. Results: TNF-α was significantly decreased in both the LT (4.6±0.2 pg/mL, Mean±SE → 4.0±0.4, P=0.014), and MT group (4.5±0.3 → 3.8±0.5, P=0.005). Changes in adiponectin (6.2±0.7 μg/mL → 6.7±0.7, P=0.039) and CRP (4.1±0.3 mg/L → 3.7±0.4, P=0.031) were only observed in MT. The was no changes in any cytokines regarding the CON group. Conclusion: Following the 12-week intervention, adiponectin and CRP only recorded significant changes in the MT group indicating that moderate-intensity training more beneficial than low intensity training for controlling low-grade inflammation and immune function in obese Hispanic females. It is suggested that moderate-intensity aerobic training induce greater amount of fat loss including VAT, therefore, reduce pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion, consequently. TAMIU research Grant This abstract was presented at the American Physiology Summit 2025 and is only available in HTML format. There is no downloadable file or PDF version. The Physiology editorial board was not involved in the peer review process.