The Response of Salivary Inflammatory Markers in Men with Different Ages Following Exhaustive Exercise with Arm and Leg Ergometer

The aim of this study was to compare the response of some salivary inflammatory markers including interferon gamma (IFN-) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in men with different ages following an exhaustive exercise with hand and leg ergometer. 36 healthy men in three age groups of children (12.7± 1.7 yr), middle-aged (34.3± 4.9 yr) and elderly (55±2.1 yr) performed two types of leg and arm ergometer protocols to exhaustion. Initial intensity of leg ergometer was 50 watt and arm ergometer was 25 watt. 25 watts were added to both protocols every 2 minutes. Salivary markers were measured before and immediately after both protocols. The data were analyzed by dependent t test, one-way analysis of variance and Tukey post hoc test. Both protocols significantly increased the values of the IFN- and IL-6 in all three groups, but no significant differences were observed in the values of these markers in arm and leg exercises among the groups. When groups were compared in arm exercises, the amounts of IFN- in middle-aged and elderly groups showed a greater increase than children group, but there was no significant difference in values of IL-6 among the groups. Also, while comparing the groups in the leg exercises, no significant differences were observed in levels of IFN- and IL-6. Given these results, it can be noted that increased salivary cytokines of IL-6 and IFN- following exhaustive exercise, particularly in the elderly and children groups, may be a defensive mechanism against exercise-induced stress.