Sedentary Patterns and Systemic Inflammation: Sex-Specific Links in Older Adults

The study aimed to examine sex-specific associations between objectively measured sedentary patterns and pro- and anti-inflammatory biomarkers in older adults when considering the moderating impact of physical activity (PA). Accelerometer-based monitoring of sedentary patterns and PA was conducted in a population of older men (n = 83; age: 67.4 +/- 1.5; height: 178.7 +/- 6.6 cm; weight: 80.9 +/- 10.6 kg) and women (n = 146; age: 67.4 +/- 1.6; height: 164.2 +/- 6.1 cm; weight: 64.6 +/- 10.1 kg) aged 65-70. Blood samples were collected for the assessment of the inflammatory biomarkers C-reactive protein (CRP), fibrinogen, interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-10, IL-18, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1). Data were analyzed using multiple linear regression models. Total and bouts of >= 10 min of sedentary time were inversely associated with the anti-inflammatory marker IL-10 in older men (accumulated sedentary time: beta = -0.116; bouts: beta = -0.099; all p < 0.05). Associations were independent of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and total PA volume. In women, total and bouts of >= 10 min of sedentary time were detrimentally associated with the pro-inflammatory marker fibrinogen (accumulated sedentary time: beta = -0.130; bouts: beta = -0.085; all p < 0.05). Associations remained between accumulated sedentary time and fibrinogen when adjusting for MVPA and total PA volume. This study highlights sex-specific routes by which sedentary patterns impact on pro- and anti-inflammatory biomarkers in older adults. The findings support efforts to promote accumulation of time spent in PA at the expense of time in sedentary pursuits on low-grade inflammation in older men and women.

Automated summary

The study found that prolonged sedentary time in older adults has different effects on inflammatory biomarkers, with men being impacted in anti-inflammatory marker IL-10 and women in pro-inflammatory marker fibrinogen.