Effects of intensity-matched exercise at different intensities on inflammatory responses in able-bodied and spinal cord injured individuals

This study aimed to compare how exercise at different intensities affects inflammation in people with spinal cord injuries (SCI) compared to able-bodied (AB) individuals. They measured inflammatory substances in the blood before, immediately after, and 30 minutes after exercise. Participants completed three exercise sessions at different intensities matched to their fitness levels. The AB group used a regular treadmill, while the SCI group used a wheelchair-adapted treadmill. The key finding was that individuals with SCI showed a weaker anti-inflammatory response to exercise compared to AB individuals at the same relative intensity. This suggests people with SCI may need more intense exercise to get the same benefits.

• 1
  The SCI group had higher levels of interleukin-2 (IL-2) and lower levels of interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) at all measurement times compared to the AB group.
• 2
  In the AB group, interleukin-6 (IL-6) increased immediately after exercise at ventilatory threshold 1 (VT1) intensity compared to baseline.
• 3
  Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) was higher immediately after exercise at VT1, 15% above VT1 and 30 min after 15% below VT1 in the AB group.