Supervised exercise and inflammatory/oxidative biomarkers in adults aged 65 and older
A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials in people aged 65 and older reports modest reductions in CRP and high-sensitivity CRP and increases in IL-10 with structured exercise; effects on IL-6 and TNF-α were inconsistent, and bias was moderate to high. [1]
Automatic summary · not editorially reviewed
The key findings
The review included randomized controlled trials with participants aged 65 or older and searched five databases. [1]
Fifty reports with 4,379 participants entered the qualitative synthesis; 38 entered the meta-analyses, with interventions lasting 8 weeks to 12 months. [1]
Pooled analyses found modest reductions in CRP and high-sensitivity CRP and increases in IL-10, while IL-6 and TNF-α effects were inconsistent; bias was moderate to high. [1]
The source at a glance
- Study type / format
- Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (abstract).
- Population / context
- Adults aged 65 and older in randomized controlled trials.
- Summary based on
- Study abstract
- Original publication
- September 24, 2026
Exercise biomarkers in adults 65 and older
The review asked how structured physical exercise affects molecular biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress in older adults. Trials had to include participants aged 65 or older and be randomized controlled trials. Searches covered PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL and the Cochrane Library. The authors note that exercise is seen as a non-pharmacological intervention improving functional capacity, cognition and quality of life, while the molecular pathways behind aging-related effects remain incompletely understood.
Supporting source [1]
Pooled CRP, IL-10 and inconsistent cytokine results
Fifty reports with 4,379 participants entered the qualitative synthesis, and 38 of them the separate meta-analyses. Interventions lasted 8 weeks to 12 months and included aerobic, resistance and multicomponent training. Pooled analyses showed modest but significant reductions in C-reactive protein (CRP) and high-sensitivity CRP, and increases in interleukin-10 (IL-10). Effects on other pro-inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), were inconsistent across studies. Six trials also suggested improvements in redox balance.
Supporting source [1]
Moderate to high bias limits the biomarker picture
The authors conclude that structured exercise shows a moderate immunomodulatory and antioxidant effect in older adults, but they rate bias as moderate to high. The redox-balance evidence came from only six trials. The abstract reports pooled biomarker results but no effect sizes or confidence intervals, and the full text was not reviewed here. These are associations of measured biomarkers with exercise programs, not proof that exercise extends lifespan or prevents disease.
Supporting source [1]
How to interpret this
Abstract only; the full text was not reviewed. Effect sizes and confidence intervals are not reported, redox evidence rests on six trials, and bias is rated moderate to high. Biomarker changes do not establish lifespan or disease benefits.
Based on the study abstract; the full paper, tables and supplementary data were not reviewed.
Source & supporting passages
Chenhuichen C, Ezzatvar Y, Zambom-Ferraresi F, Welch C, Gorospe M, Montes Resano M, Gutiérrez-Valencia M, Lasarte Sagastibelza JJ, Jackson T, Martínez-Velilla N. · europepmc.org · September 24, 2026