title: Body composition, maximal aerobic performance and inflammatory biomarkers in endurance-trained athletes.
abstract: This study was designed to examine the relationships between body composition, cardiorespiratory fitness and simultaneously measured inflammatory parameters in endurance-trained athletes. In 20 well-trained rowers (19·0 ± 2·9 years; 185·6 ± 4·8 cm; 85·7 ± 10·8 kg; 17·1 ± 5·1% body fat; maximal oxygen consumption [VO2max]: 63·9 ± 8·5 ml min-1kg-1), body composition was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and cardiorespiratory fitness by direct VO2max test. Twelve inflammatory factors [interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, vascular endothelial growth factor, interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), tumour necrosis factor-alpha, IL-1α, IL-1β, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), epidermal growth factor (EGF)] were analysed from serum samples. Serum IFN-γ was related (P<0·05) to fat-free mass (FFM) (r = -0·56) and muscle mass (r = -0·50). The stepwise regression analysis showed that IFN-γ explained 27·5%, and IFN-γ and IL-6 together explained 39·8% of the variability of FFM, while IFN-γ explained 21·1%, and IFN-γ together with EGF explained 36·6% of the variability of muscle mass in male rowers. Serum IL-8 (r = -0·65) and VEGF (r = -0·48) correlated (P<0·05) with VO2max kg-1. Serum IL-8 explained 38·5% of the variability of VO2max kg-1. Significant correlations were also found among several inflammatory parameters, indicating that various inflammatory cytokines act on the body as an ensemble. In conclusion, this cross-sectional study in endurance-trained male rowers showed that FFM and muscle mass were negatively correlated with serum IFN-γ level, whereas cardiorespiratory fitness was negatively related to serum IL-8 level.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Sport Pedagogy and Coaching Sciences, Centre of Behavioral, Social and Health Sciences, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia.
authors.forename: Jaak
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jürimäe
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, Children's Clinic of Tartu University Hospital, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia.
authors.forename: Vallo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Tillmann
authors.affiliation: Institute of Sport Pedagogy and Coaching Sciences, Centre of Behavioral, Social and Health Sciences, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia.
authors.forename: Priit
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Purge
authors.affiliation: Institute of Sport Pedagogy and Coaching Sciences, Centre of Behavioral, Social and Health Sciences, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia.
authors.forename: Toivo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Jürimäe
mesh_terms: D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D050154:Adiposity; D000293:Adolescent; D056352:Athletes; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001823:Body Composition; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005080:Exercise Test; D017079:Exercise Tolerance; D006801:Humans; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000097:blood*; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000097:blood; D016209:Interleukin-8 / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D010807:Physical Endurance; D010809:Physical Fitness; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; C508606:CXCL8 protein, human; C573415:IFNG protein, human; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D016209:Interleukin-8; D007371:Interferon-gamma
keywords: body composition; inflammatory profile; maximal aerobic performance; rowers