Aim: To evaluate the effects of 3 months of exercise cessation in physically active older individuals on inflammatory biomarkers and adiponectin, and examine any association modifications in physical functioning.
Methods: We evaluated the effects of exercise cessation in 49 physically active older adults on inflammatory biomarkers, adiponectin and physical functioning. Participants (38 women, 11 men) were aged >65 years old and had attended a 9-month supervised exercise program. After 3 months of exercise cessation, we measured anthropometry, physical activity, strength, balance, endurance exercise, cholesterol, triglycerides, C-reactive protein, glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin A1c, interleukin-6 and adiponectin levels.
Results: Adiponectin was positively correlated with high-density lipoprotein and negatively correlated with triglyceride levels after exercise cessation. Higher adiponectin levels were correlated with worse dynamic balance, endurance exercise and lower limb strength (men only), which might be explained by the adiponectin resistance hypothesis.
Conclusions: Adiponectin therefore might be a promising biomarker of physical dysfunction in older adults, although further research is necessary to understand the mechanisms involved in its double-sided effects. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2020; 20: 494-499.
Keywords: biomarkers; exercise cessation; functional fitness; inflammation; older adults.
© 2020 Japan Geriatrics Society.