Interleukin response to combined aerobic – Resistance training and dietary intervention in men with abdominal obesity

Karol Makiel; Aneta Targosz; Aleksandra Suder; Mateusz Czernik; Piotr Kosowski; Agnieszka Suder

doi:10.20330/AnthropKozl.2026.67s.110

Karol Makiel University of Physical Education, Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Physical Rehabilitation, Krakow, Poland
Aneta Targosz Jagiellonian University Medical College, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Physiology, Krakow, Poland
Aleksandra Suder Jagiellonian University Medical College, Faculty of Medicine, Krakow, Poland
Mateusz Czernik University of Physical Education, Faculty of Physical Rehabilitation, Department of Anatomy, Student Research Group In-Out, Krakow, Poland
Piotr Kosowski AGH University, Department of Petroleum Engineering, Krakow, Poland
Agnieszka Suder University of Physical Education, Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Physical Rehabilitation, Krakow, Poland

DOI: https://doi.org/10.20330/AnthropKozl.2026.67s.110

Keywords: Adipokines, Abdominal obesity, Diet, Physical activity, Inflammatory markers, Insulin resistance

Abstract

Background: Chronic low-grade inflammation links abdominal obesity with insulin resistance, adverse body composition and cardiometabolic risk. Among inflammatory mediators, IL-6 and IL-8 may reflect obesity-related inflammation and the response to lifestyle intervention.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of a 6-week aerobic–resistance training program, with or without dietary intervention, on interleukins, insulin sensitivity, cardiometabolic indices and body composition in men with abdominal obesity.

Subjects and methods: Forty-four men with abdominal obesity (waist circumference: 110.2±8.8 cm; BMI: 32.0±3.8 kg/m²) were randomized to a control group (CG, n=12), exercise group (EG, n=16), or exercise-plus-diet group (EDG, n=16). Outcomes were assessed at baseline and after 6 weeks and included IL-6, IL-8, CRI I, CRI II, BF/BM, FFM/BM, and ABD/BM. Group, time, and interaction effects were analysed using mixed ANOVA with post hoc testing, and effect size was expressed as partial eta squared (ηp²).

Results: The strongest anti-inflammatory effect was observed for IL-6. Its concentration decreased from 8.72±5.51 to 4.56±4.21 pg/mL in EDG (−47.7%, p<0.01) and from 8.83±6.44 to 6.17±6.17 pg/mL in EG (−30.1%, p=0.02), whereas no significant change was found in CG. Significant effects for IL-6 were confirmed for group (p=0.01; ηp²=0.18), time (p=0.01; ηp²=0.03) and group-by-time interaction (p=0.03; ηp²=0.03). IL-8 showed no significant changes despite a numerical decrease in both intervention groups. The most favourable accompanying changes were observed in EDG, including lower BF/BM (p<0.01; ηp²=0.03), lower ABD/BM (p<0.01; ηp²=0.04) and higher FFM/BM (p<0.01; ηp²=0.02). CRI I also decreased in EDG (p=0.01), whereas CRI II decreased over time and interaction (p=0.01), with the greatest reduction in EDG.

Conclusions: Combined exercise and dietary intervention produced the most favourable inflammatory and metabolic response, reflected by a marked reduction in IL-6. These findings support combined lifestyle treatment over exercise alone for improving inflammatory status in men with abdominal obesity.

References

References: None.