The effects of aerobic and anaerobic exercises on cytokines, muscle damage and recovery

Aim: This study was carried out to analyze the variations of IL-1β, IL-4, YKL-40 and ACTA-1 responses throughout the recovery period after aerobic and anaerobic exercises. Material and Method: 20 volunteer male football players participated in both aerobic and anaerobic exercises. Blood samples were collected from the athletes before the exercise (rest), immediately after the exercise, 60 minutes, 24 hours and 48 hours after the end of the exercise. In addition, blood samples were drawn for LA responses before exercise (rest), immediately after exercise, and five, 10, and 20 minutes after exercise. Heart rates were recorded before the exercise (rest), at the end of the exercise, every minute throughout the first 20 minutes, at the 30th, 40th, 50th and 60th minutes. Results: Significant differences were found between LA, CK, IL-4, YKL-40, ACTA-1, HR and AZD values (p<0.05) of aerobic and anaerobic exercises. The highest LA value after aerobic exercise was observed immediately after exercise (2.391 mmol), and the highest LA value after anaerobic exercise was observed five minutes after exercise (14.273.31 mmol). The highest CK values after aerobic and anaerobic exercise were determined 48 hours after exercise (278.35  126.96 U/L and 570.65  390.22 U/L, respectively). The highest IL-4 values after aerobic and anaerobic exercises were found immediately after exercise (178.72119.43 ng/L and 178.76157.21 ng/L, respectively). The highest YKL-40 value after aerobic exercise was observed immediately after exercise (148.9880.82 ng/mL), and the highest YKL-40 value after anaerobic exercise was observed 48 hours after exercise (102.51 71.13 ng/mL). The highest ACTA-1 value after aerobic exercise was determined 24 hours after exercise (28.7916.86 ng/mL), and the highest ACTA-1 value after anaerobic exercise was determined immediately after exercise (30.65 16.31 ng/mL). Conclusion: According to the data of our study, IL-4, YKL-40 and ACTA-1 could be a valid marker to monitor recovery period after exercise. In addition, IL-4 and YKL 40 stood out as more appropriate markers to analyze the recovery period after aerobic exercises and for anaerobic exercises ACTA-1 seemed to be a better marker. With these markers, the recovery efficiency, ability and capacity of the athletes could be analyzed more validly and as the literature studies increase, the parameters with a high level of reliability might appear as an athlete evaluation criterion in the future.