Int J Sports Med 1997; 18: S22-S27
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-972697
Review

© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Aging and the Acute Phase Response to Exercise: Implications for the Role of Systemic Factors on Skeletal Muscle Protein Turnover

R. A. Fielding, W. J. Evans
  • Department of Health Sciences, Boston University, Sargent College of Allied Health Professions, Boston, MA
  • and Noll Physiological Research Center, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, U.S.A.
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
09 March 2007 (online)

Declines in exercise capacity throughout an individual's life span can affect function and can ultimately limit the ability to perform activities of daily living. Along with these changes in exercise capacity and function, studies have reported age-associated changes in several parameters of immune status including declines in cell-mediated and humoral immunity. Exercise has been shown repeatedly to activate host-specific defense mechanisms in a series of coordinated metabolic events similar to the acute phase response to infection. This review will focus on the role of the acute phase response on skeletal muscle remodeling after exercise. In particular, we will discuss the physiological role of exercise-induced neutrophilia and monocyte production of the cytokine interleukin-1 on skeletal muscle remodeling in young and older individuals. The implications of these responses in mediating the metabolic adaptations to exercise will be addressed.