Differential inflammatory responses to acute exercise and ex vivo immune challenge in young and master athletes

Abstract

Lifelong exercise is associated with beneficial immune adaptations, but the extent to which these adaptations manifest during an acute inflammatory challenge remains unclear. Therefore, we aimed to compare the inflammatory responses to ex vivo whole blood and peripheral blood mononuclear cells [PBMCs] cultures from young and master athletes, before and after a single bout of moderate-intensity exercise. Young athletes exhibit a stronger cytokine response to ex vivo inflammatory stimuli, while master athletes demonstrate a more controlled and regulated inflammatory profile.