Activity, Motor, Biomarkers, Exercise, Immunity
Conditions
Keywords
Exercise physiology, Aerobic and anaerobic exercis, Hormonal and immunological responses, Physical activity
Brief summary
This study aims to compare the effects of aerobic and anaerobic exercise on hormonal, immunological, and metabolic biomarkers in young individuals using blood and saliva samples. It will also assess participants' physical activity levels, depression levels, and general lifestyle habits to explore their relationship with biomarker profiles. Biomarkers such as testosterone, progesterone, cortisol, IgA, alpha-amylase, insulin, lactate, and various inflammatory cytokines will be measured using ELISA. The study seeks to evaluate the physiological and psychosocial effects of different types of exercise in a holistic manner.
Detailed description
Exercise is a complex stimulus that induces multifaceted effects on an individual's physiological and psychological systems. Aerobic and anaerobic types of exercise differ in terms of their energy production pathways and metabolic responses in the body. Aerobic exercises are long-duration, oxygen-dependent activities, while anaerobic exercises are short-duration, high-intensity activities that activate oxygen-independent energy systems. These types of exercise cause various hormonal, immunological, and metabolic changes in the body. After exercise, significant changes are observed in biomarkers such as stress hormones (cortisol, progesterone), anabolic hormones (testosterone), immune system markers (IgA, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-10, IL-1β, IL-1RA, IL-4), and metabolic parameters (amylase, insulin, lactate). The fact that these parameters can be measured from both blood and saliva samples has increased the use of non-invasive methods in exercise physiology studies. The level of physical activity is directly related not only to biological systems but also to an individual's psychological health and lifestyle habits. Research shows that regular physical activity reduces levels of depression and improves quality of life. The positive effects of exercise on the immune system become more significant when considered in conjunction with an individual's general lifestyle habits (nutrition, sleep, stress levels, substance use, etc.). It is particularly known that individuals with depression have high cortisol levels and suppressed IgA levels. Therefore, depression levels and lifestyle habits are important variables that affect the physiological responses to exercise. This study will compare the effects of aerobic and anaerobic exercise on hormonal, immunological, and metabolic biomarkers measured via blood and saliva samples in young individuals. Additionally, the participants' physical activity levels, depression levels, and general lifestyle habits will be evaluated to explore the relationship between these variables and biomarker profiles. Measurements will include levels of testosterone, progesterone, cortisol, IgA, alpha-amylase, insulin, lactate, and various inflammatory cytokines, assessed using the ELISA method. In this way, the biological effects of different types of exercise will be evaluated from both physiological and psychosocial perspectives. The main aim of this study is to comparatively examine the effects of aerobic and anaerobic exercises on hormonal, immunological, and metabolic biomarkers measured through blood and saliva samples in young individuals. Additionally, the relationship between the participants' physical activity level, depression level, and general lifestyle habits (nutrition, sleep patterns, substance use, etc.) with these biomarkers will be investigated, as well as the potential modulatory effects on the physiological responses to exercise.
Interventions
DEVICETreadmill Exercise
Participants in this group will perform an aerobic exercise using the Bruce Protocol on a treadmill. The test involves walking or running with gradually increasing speed and incline in predefined stages to assess cardiovascular endurance. Heart rate, blood pressure, and fatigue levels will be recorded at each stage. The session will conclude with a low-intensity cool-down phase.
DEVICEBicycle Exercise
The Wingate Anaerobic Test will be conducted using an ergometer bike. After a standardized warm-up, participants will pedal all-out for 30 seconds against a preset resistance, aiming to evaluate their anaerobic performance. Physiological parameters including power output, heart rate, and oxygen saturation will be monitored throughout the test.
Sponsors
Sakarya Applied Sciences University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH
Masking
NONE
Intervention model description
The study will be conducted in 2025 with 90 voluntary university students from the Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation at Sakarya University of Applied Sciences. Participants will be aged 18-25 and free of chronic illnesses. Inclusion criteria are being a university student and within the specified age range. Exclusion criteria include orthopedic, cognitive, mental health problems, or chronic systemic diseases. Eligible students will be informed about the study's purpose, duration, potential risks, and methods, and will sign informed consent. Participants will be randomly divided into three equal groups, each receiving a different intervention, allowing comparison of physiological responses across groups.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 25 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Being a university student, * Being between the ages of 18 and 25.
Exclusion criteria
* Having orthopedic problems that prevent exercise, * Having cognitive or mental health problems that prevent participation in exercise, * Having chronic systemic diseases such as cardiac, pulmonary, or nephrological.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in Salivary Immunoglobulin A (IgA) | Time Frame: Baseline and post-exercise Unit of Measure: µg/mL | Level of IgA in saliva as a marker of mucosal immune response. |
| Change in Blood Lactate Level | Time Frame: Baseline and post-exercise Unit of Measure: µIU/mL | Lactate concentration in blood samples collected before and after exercise. |
| Change in Serum Cytokine Levels (e.g., IL-6, TNF-α) | Time Frame: Baseline and immediately post-exercise Unit of Measure: pg/mL | Evaluation of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in serum. |
| Change in Salivary Testosterone Level | Time Frame: Baseline and immediately post-exercise Unit of Measure: pg/mL | Measurement of testosterone concentration in saliva pre- and post-exercise. |
| Change in Salivary Cortisol Level | Time Frame: Baseline (pre-exercise) and immediately post-exercise (within 1 hour) Unit of Measure: ng/mL | Measurement of cortisol concentration in saliva before and after aerobic and anaerobic exercise protocols. |
| Change in Salivary Progesterone Level | Time Frame: Baseline and immediately post-exercise Unit of Measure: pg/mL | Salivary progesterone levels before and after exercise. |
| Change in Salivary Alpha-Amylase Activity | Time Frame: Baseline and post-exercise Unit of Measure: U/mL | Enzymatic activity of salivary alpha-amylase as a stress marker. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in Physical Activity Level (IPAQ-Short Form) | Time Frame: Baseline and post-intervention Unit of Measure: MET-minutes/week | Evaluation of participants' physical activity levels using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire - Short Form (IPAQ-SF), which estimates physical activity over the last 7 days in MET-minutes/week. |
| Change in Depression Score (Beck Depression Inventory-II) | Time Frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and post-intervention (within 1 hour after final session) Unit of Measure: Score (range: 0-63) Method of Measurement: Self-reported questionnaire | Assessment of participants' depressive symptoms using the validated Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II). |
Contacts
Primary ContactAbdurrahim Yıldız, Doc.Dr.
Outcome results
None listed