The acute response of irisin to resistance and endurance exercise at both lower and higher intensities in healthy older adults

James Newman; Isabel King; Nicole B Flemming; Kathryn M Broadhouse; Robert Buhmann; Grace Laura Rose; David Jenkins; Christopher Askew; Mia Schaumberg

doi:10.1016/j.exger.2025.112850

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The acute response of irisin to resistance and endurance exercise at both lower and higher intensities in healthy older adults

Journal article

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The acute response of irisin to resistance and endurance exercise at both lower and higher intensities in healthy older adults

James Newman, Isabel King, Nicole B Flemming, Kathryn M Broadhouse, Robert Buhmann, Grace Laura Rose, David Jenkins, Christopher Askew and Mia Schaumberg

Experimental Gerontology, Vol.209, pp.1-8

2025

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.exger.2025.112850

PMID: 40738363

Appears in UniSC Diversity and Inclusion Research Collection

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Abstract

resistance exercise

healthy ageing

irisin

UniSC Diversity Area - Life Stages

Exercise-induced release of irisin may contribute to the beneficial effects of exercise on brain health. Previous studies in healthy adults have shown ~15 % increase in short-term post-exercise irisin concentrations. However, previous research investigating the exercise-induced release of irisin in older populations is scarce and findings are highly variable. The present study investigated the effects of exercise mode and intensity on short-term acute post-exercise irisin concentrations in older adults. Thirty-two healthy older adults (women n = 18, men n = 14, age 72 ± 5 years), completed a randomised cross over study of four single-bout exercise sessions on separate days, consisting of either: lower-intensity resistance exercise (Low-RE), higher-intensity resistance exercise (High-RE), lower-intensity endurance exercise (Low-EE) or higher-intensity endurance exercise (High-EE) as well as a seated rest control (RC). Serum irisin concentrations were measured at pre- and 0-, 30-, and 60-min post-exercise. Body composition, peak oxygen consumption and one repetition maximum were evaluated to inform individual exercise intensities. Irisin concentrations were increased immediately after High-RE, High-EE, and Low-EE and remained elevated after Low-EE at 30 min post-exercise. Irisin concentrations were greater after Low-EE than High-EE at 30-min post-exercise, and greater after High-RE than Low-RE at 60-min post-exercise. Healthy older adults exhibit a short-term acute peak irisin response to exercise (~17 %) comparable to that previously observed in younger populations (~15 %), highlighting the potential for exercise-induced benefits on brain health irrespective of age. Given that resistance and endurance exercises at different intensities elicit distinct responses, intensity, resistance volume, endurance session duration and mode must be considered when designing optimal exercise prescriptions for improved brain health.

Details

Title: The acute response of irisin to resistance and endurance exercise at both lower and higher intensities in healthy older adults
Authors: James Newman (Corresponding Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health - Biomedicine
Isabel King (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health
Nicole B Flemming (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health - Biomedicine
Kathryn M Broadhouse (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health - Biomedicine
Robert Buhmann (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health - Sports & Exercise Science
Grace Laura Rose (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health - Sports & Exercise Science
David Jenkins (Author) - The University of Queensland
Christopher Askew (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health - Sports & Exercise Science
Mia Schaumberg (Corresponding Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health - Biomedicine
Publication details: Experimental Gerontology, Vol.209, pp.1-8
Publisher: Elsevier Inc.
Date published: 2025
DOI: 10.1016/j.exger.2025.112850
ISSN: 1873-6815
PMID: 40738363
Data Availability: All authors agree to make data used within this manuscript available, upon request.
Grants: Understanding the acute myokine response to resistance exercise in older adults for longevity and disease prevention., 0980027690, University of the Sunshine Coast (Australia, Sunshine Coast) - UniSC
Organisation Unit: School of Health - Biomedicine; Healthy Ageing Research Cluster; Cancer Research Cluster
Language: English
Record Identifier: 991146239802621
Output Type: Journal article

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