IL-6 levels during BFR exercise in older adults
Date
2022-04-15Author
Carlgren, Madison
Bradley, Laik
Mattison, Jett
Goodwin, Andrew
Advisor
Hakansson, Nils A.Metadata
Show full item recordCitation
Carlgren, Madison; Bradley, Laik; Mattison, Jett; Goodwin, Andrew. 2022.
IL-6 levels during BFR exercise in older adults -- In Proceedings: 21st Annual Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Forum. Wichita, KS: Wichita State University, p. 13
Abstract
One method to reduce the risk of falls and fall-related hospitalizations among
older adults is to increase strength and muscular health. Heavy-weight resistance training
is the standard exercise to build skeletal muscle and is typically undesirable for older
adults. Blood flow restriction exercise is a low-intensity alternative to heavy
weightlifting. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) has been shown in previous studies to be produced in
skeletal muscles and released at higher levels during exercise. The purpose of the study is
to determine if blood flow restriction (BFR) exercise increases IL-6 production in
individuals in a shorter time than exercise without BFR.
Seven adults 55 years and older performed 30-minute pedaling sessions per week over 12
weeks. The participants were placed into two groups: aerobic exercise with BFR or
aerobic exercise without BFR (control group. Each participant maintained an RPE score
between 12-13 during the 30 minutes.
The findings of the study showed that IL-6 levels were significantly increased in the BFR
participants as compared to the participants without BFR. Therefore, BFR may be a
central mechanism to increase white blood cell recruitment for muscle growth without
causing damage to the muscle.
Description
Presented to the 21st Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Forum (URCAF) held at the Rhatigan Student Center, Wichita State University, April 15, 2022.