Table 3.
Intervention effects on leukocyte subpopulations and circulating inflammatory markers
| Baseline (n = 67) | 3 months (n = 67) | 6 months (n = 67) | P-value (time) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leukocytes [x109 cells/L] | ||||
| CT (n = 26) | 7.2 (4.9–10.3)** | 7.2 (4.1–11.9) | 7.1 (5.4–9.4) | 0.440 |
| RT (n = 20) | 5.6 (3.1–9.1) | 6.0 (3.2–8.9) | 6.0 (3.3–9.8)* | 0.001 |
| RTS (n = 21) | 7.0 (4.4–13.3)** | 7.2 (4.5–11.7)** | 7.1 (4.7–13.0) | 0.586 |
| Lymphocytes [cells/μl] | ||||
| CT (n = 26) | 1985 (910–3510) | 2090 (890–3980) | 2250 (930–3540) | 0.387 |
| RT (n = 20) | 1675 (830–3330) | 1765 (912–3190) | 1720 (1010–3430) | 0.651 |
| RTS (n = 21) | 2255 (1460–4700) | 2340 (1570–4680) | 2190 (1640–4930) | 0.810 |
| Monocytes [cells/μl] | ||||
| CT (n = 26) | 610 (72–950) | 550 (300–780) | 590 (400–910) | 0.534 |
| RT (n = 20) | 520 (260–790) | 475 (250–960) | 510 (250–880) | 0.104 |
| RTS (n = 21) | 585 (320–960) | 490 (300–840) | 545 (330–900) | 0.404 |
| Neutrophils [cells/μl] | ||||
| CT (n = 26) | 4300 (2410–6630)** | 4010 (1990–7420) | 3910 (3110–5880) | 0.247 |
| RT (n = 20) | 2876 (1530–6800) | 3390 (1720–5880) | 3520 (1800–7330)* | 0.011 |
| RTS (n = 21) | 4030 (2430–9860) | 3930 (1720–8730) | 4290 (1664–8680) | 0.368 |
| Basophils [cells/μl] | ||||
| CT (n = 26) | 40 (20–111) | 30 (10–90) | 30 (20–100) | 0.027 |
| RT (n = 20) | 35 (10–90) | 30 (10–100) | 30 (10–80) | 0.878 |
| RTS (n = 21) | 40 (10–90) | 40 (10–90) | 40 (10–80) | 0.344 |
| Eosinophils [cells/μl] | ||||
| CT (n = 26) | 210 (36–448) | 170 (80–470) | 220 (90–330) | 0.911 |
| RT (n = 20) | 160 (10–690) | 186 (40–530) | 200 (80–570) | 0.381 |
| RTS (n = 21) | 248 (90–470) | 195 (20–630) | 260 (90–650) | 0.137 |
| hs-CRP [mg/L] | ||||
| CT (n = 26) | 2.0 (0.5–4.8) | 2.4 (0.2–5.5) | 1.8 (0.3–8.5) | 0.424 |
| RT (n = 20) | 1.9 (0.3–7.6) | 2.4 (0.5–7.7) | 2.0 (0.6–9.6) | 0.645 |
| RTS (n = 21) | 1.8 (0.6–5.4) | 2.1 (0.6–8.5) | 1.6 (0.4–5.5) | 0.135 |
| TGF-β [μg/L] | ||||
| CT (n = 26) | 36.0 (18.7–73.7) | 39.8 (18.4–67.8) | 40.8 (21.9–67.9) | 0.953 |
| RT (n = 20) | 31.5 (16.7–50.0) | 34.5 (18.3–59.7) | 34.6 (12.7–57.3) | 0.075 |
| RTS (n = 21) | 33.7 (21.0–51.2) | 38.0 (22.9–50.5) | 35.5 (22.1–52.1) | 0.431 |
Data are expressed as medians (min–max); Differences over the time course were detected using the Friedman test and if significant, followed by Bonferroni-corrected post-hoc analyses (* p < 0.05 vs. baseline within respective study group). Differences between groups were analysed by Kruskal Wallis test, followed by Bonferroni-corrected post-hoc analyses (** p < 0.05 vs. RT group within respective time point; significant differences are marked in bold)
Abbreviations: CT cognitive training, RT resistance training, RTS resistance training plus supplement, hs-CRP high sensitive C-reactive protein, TGF-β transforming growth factor-β