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The increase in plasma IL-6 following sprint interval training does not depend on total sprint volume

Jie Zhang Orcid Logo, Johnny LM Blaschek, Matthew Hutchinson, Daniel Kinghorn, Richard Metcalfe Orcid Logo, Elliott C.R. Hall Orcid Logo, Kerrie L. Bartie, Niels B.J. Vollaard

Journal of Applied Sports Sciences, Volume: 9, Issue: 1, Pages: 12 - 23

Swansea University Author: Richard Metcalfe Orcid Logo

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    © Jie Zhang, Johnny LM Blaschek, Matthew Hutchinson, Daniel Kinghorn, Richard S. Metcalfe, Elliott C.R. Hall, Kerrie L. Bartie, Niels B.J. Vollaard. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0).

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DOI (Published version): 10.37393/jass.2025.09.01.2

Abstract

The magnitude of the benefi cial increase in plasma interleukin-6 (IL-6) with exercise is greater with continuous exercise of higher intensity and longer duration. However, it is unknown whether a greater volume of supramaximal interval exercise also enhances the IL-6 response. Therefore, the aim of...

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Published in: Journal of Applied Sports Sciences
ISSN: 2534-9597 2535-0145
Published: National Sports Academy - Vassil Levski 2025
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URI: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa69842
Abstract: The magnitude of the benefi cial increase in plasma interleukin-6 (IL-6) with exercise is greater with continuous exercise of higher intensity and longer duration. However, it is unknown whether a greater volume of supramaximal interval exercise also enhances the IL-6 response. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the eff ects of two sprint interval training (SIT) protocols involving different volumes of sprint exercise on plasma IL-6 levels. Nine healthy young men (age: 24±4 y, BMI: 23.3±3.1 kg·m-2, V̇ O2max: 42±6 mL·kg-1·min-1) completed three experimental trials in randomised order, including ‘classic’ SIT (4x30-s ‘all-out’ cycle sprints within a 22-min session), reduced-exertion high-intensity interval training (REHIT; 2x20-s ‘all-out’ cycle sprints within a 10-min session), and a control condition (seated rest). Blood samples were collected before exercise and at 0-, 30-, and 90-min post-exercise, and analyzed for lactate and IL-6. Blood lactate levels peaked directly post-SIT (1.5±0.2 mM to 11.9±2.5 mM; p<.001) and REHIT (1.7±0.4 to 9.1±3.1 mM; p<.001). Plasma IL-6 levels peaked 30-min post-exercise (0.84±0.12 to 1.31±0.17 pg·mL-1 for SIT, p=.003; 0.75±0.09 to 1.18±0.36 pg·mL-1 for REHIT, p=.028). Compared to the con-trol trial, IL-6 iAUC was signifi cantly higher for both SIT (p=.002) and REHIT (p=.013), with no signifi cant diff erence between SIT and REHIT. In conclusion, we demonstrate that the increase in plasma IL-6 levels is similar for the two SIT protocols involving a 3-fold diff erence in sprint exercise volume (120 s vs. 40 s). Our data provide support for a possible role of glycogenolysis in the IL-6 response to SIT.
Keywords: interleukin-6, lactate, Reduced-exertion high-intensity interval training, REHIT, SIT
College: Faculty of Science and Engineering
Funders: The study was funded by a grant from Integrated Health Partners Limited. JZ was funded by the China Scholarship Council (202206635004).
Issue: 1
Start Page: 12
End Page: 23

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