title: Small-sided games training reduces CRP, IL-6 and leptin in sedentary, middle-aged men.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Long-term physical activity is reported to improve chronic systemic inflammation, which provides protection against the ensuing development of chronic disease. Accordingly, the present study assessed changes in pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, aerobic capacity and body composition following 8 weeks of either small-sided games (SSG) or cycling (CYC) training compared to a sedentary control (CON) condition.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-three middle-aged, sedentary men were randomized into CYC (n = 11), SSG (n = 11), or CON (n = 11) conditions. The CYC and SSG conditions trained 3 days/week for 8 weeks, whilst CON maintained habitual activity and dietary patterns. Pre- and post-intervention testing included a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scan, sub-maximal (80% maximal heart rate) aerobic capacity (VO₂) and fasting venous blood. Venous blood measures for pro-inflammatory markers included C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α, and leptin; anti-inflammatory markers included IL-10, IL-1 receptor agonist, and adiponectin.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both CYC and SSG increased submaximal power output and VO₂ (P < 0.05), decreased total body fat-mass (TB-FM; P < 0.05), and CRP (SSG, -0.45 ± 0.42 mg L(-1); P = 0.008; CYC, -0.44 ± 0.59 mg L(-1); P = 0.02). Only SSG increased total body fat-free mass (TB-FFM; +1.1 ± 1.2 kg; P = 0.001) and decreased concentration of plasma IL-6 (-0.69 ± 0.62 pg mL(-1); P = 0.002) and leptin (-2,212 ± 2,531 ng mL(-1); P = 0.014).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cycling and SSG training were both effective at improving CRP, VO₂ and TB-FM. Furthermore, SSG training has also shown to be an effective training approach in reducing IL-6 and leptin and increasing muscle mass within sedentary, middle-aged men.
authors.affiliation: School of Human Movement Studies, Charles Sturt University, Panorama Avenue, Bathurst, NSW, 2795, Australia, amendham@csu.edu.au.
authors.forename: Amy E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Mendham
authors.forename: Rob
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Duffield
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Marino
authors.forename: Aaron J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Coutts
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis*; D005538:Football / Q000502:physiology; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood*; D020738:Leptin / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D055070:Resistance Training; D057185:Sedentary Behavior
chemical_list: D015850:Interleukin-6; D020738:Leptin; D002097:C-Reactive Protein