Acute Effects of Circuit Training and Traditional Resistance Exercise on Interleukin (IL-6) in Young Adults
Justin Abril-Hernandez
Co-Presenters: Madhumitha Gayathri, Jose Xum Osorio
College: College of Health Professions and Human Services
Major: BS.EXSC/PREAT/PT
Faculty Research Mentor: Ghimire, Pragya Sharma
Abstract:
Introduction: Regular physical activity contributes to bone health not only through mechanical loading but also by activating biochemical communication between muscle and bone. During exercise, muscles release a group of signaling molecules known as exerkines, which play an essential role in regulating bone metabolism and adaptation. Among these, interleukin-6 (IL-6) has gained attention as a key mediator of bone–muscle crosstalk; however, the acute effects of exercise training on IL-6 remain unclear Purpose: This study compared acute serum IL-6 responses to circuit training (CT) and traditional resistance (TR) exercise in young healthy adults. Methods: In this randomized, repeated-measures crossover study, 6 men and 6 women completed the protocols across 4 visits. Participants performed two protocols separated by 2-week wash-out periods: 1. CT (cycle ergometer, push-up, step-ups, medicine ball twist, and front squats with kettlebell for three sets) and 2. TR exercise (3 sets 10 repetitions 80% 1RM for leg press, seated cable row, barbell bench press, kettlebell deadlifts, and dumbbell seated shoulder press). Blood samples were analyzed before exercise training (PRE), immediately post-exercise (IP), and 30 minutes post-exercise (30P) for IL-6 using ELISA. Results: IL-6 demonstrated the strongest protocol effect, with markedly higher concentrations during CT, males increased from 3.108 to 4.214 pg/ml and females from 4.103 to 4.396 pg/ml, while TR produced substantially lower values in both sexes. Conclusions: The results suggest that CT exercise training induces transient increases in circulating IL-6, possibly due to cellular stress that further activates MAPK and NFKB signaling in skeletal muscle. These findings support the idea that the CT protocol could be valuable in sports science research to elicit both cardiovascular and muscular adaptations.Key Words: Cytokines, Exercise Training, Musculoskeletal Health