Impact of supervised physical exercise on inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers in older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Physical exercise is widely recognized as an effective non-pharmacological intervention that improves not only functional capacity but also cognition and quality of life in older adults. However, the molecular pathways through which it influences aging-related processes remain incompletely understood. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to synthesize current evidence on the effects of structured physical exercise intervention on molecular biomarkers associated with inflammation and oxidative stress in older adults.
Research Design and Methods: Randomized controlled trials that included participants ≥65 years old were identified through searches of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and the Cochrane Library.
Results: A total of 50 reports (4,379 participants) were included in the qualitative synthesis, and 38 of them in the different meta-analyses performed. Exercise interventions ranged from 8 weeks to 12 months and included aerobic, resistance, and multicomponent training. Pooled analyses indicated modest but significant reductions in C-Reactive Protein (CRP) and high-sensitivity CRP, as well as increases in Interleukin (IL)-10. Effects on other pro-inflammatory cytokines, including IL-6 and TNF-α, were inconsistent across studies. Evidence from a limited number of trials (n = 6) also suggested improvements in redox balance.
Discussion and Implications: Overall, structured physical exercise demonstrates a moderate immunomodulatory and antioxidant effect in older adults, although bias was moderate to high. PROSPERO registry: CRD420251006248.
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BibTeX
@article{chenhuichen2026impact,
title = {{Impact of supervised physical exercise on inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers in older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials}},
author = {Chenhui Chenhuichen and Yasmin Ezzatvar and Fabiola Zambom-Ferraresi and Carly Welch and Myriam Gorospe and Marta Montes and Marta Gutiérrez-Valencia and Juan José Lasarte and Thomas Jackson and Nicolás Martínez-Velilla},
journal = {The Gerontologist},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.1093/geront/gnag228},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnag228},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Impact of supervised physical exercise on inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers in older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
AU - Chenhui Chenhuichen
AU - Yasmin Ezzatvar
AU - Fabiola Zambom-Ferraresi
AU - Carly Welch
AU - Myriam Gorospe
AU - Marta Montes
AU - Marta Gutiérrez-Valencia
AU - Juan José Lasarte
AU - Thomas Jackson
AU - Nicolás Martínez-Velilla
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/24
JO - The Gerontologist
DO - 10.1093/geront/gnag228
UR - https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnag228
AB - Background and Objectives: Physical exercise is widely recognized as an effective non-pharmacological intervention that improves not only functional capacity but also cognition and quality of life in older adults. However, the molecular pathways through which it influences aging-related processes remain incompletely understood. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to synthesize current evidence on the effects of structured physical exercise intervention on molecular biomarkers associated with inflammation and oxidative stress in older adults. Research Design and Methods: Randomized controlled trials that included participants ≥65 years old were identified through searches of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and the Cochrane Library. Results: A total of 50 reports (4,379 participants) were included in the qualitative synthesis, and 38 of them in the different meta-analyses performed. Exercise interventions ranged from 8 weeks to 12 months and included aerobic, resistance, and multicomponent training. Pooled analyses indicated modest but significant reductions in C-Reactive Protein (CRP) and high-sensitivity CRP, as well as increases in Interleukin (IL)-10. Effects on other pro-inflammatory cytokines, including IL-6 and TNF-α, were inconsistent across studies. Evidence from a limited number of trials (n = 6) also suggested improvements in redox balance. Discussion and Implications: Overall, structured physical exercise demonstrates a moderate immunomodulatory and antioxidant effect in older adults, although bias was moderate to high. PROSPERO registry: CRD420251006248.
SN - 0016-9013
SN - 1758-5341
ER -