COST Action CA20104
Conference Contributions
Keynote Speech by Prof. Jana Pelclova at the International Conference of Sport, Health and Physical Education 2024.
Mack, M., Voelcker-Rehage, C., Stavrinou, P. S., Pavlova, I., Netz, Y., Kömürcü Akik, B., Kaltsatou, A., Haider, S., Giannaki, C. D., Erden, A., Badache, A., & Audiffren, M. (2025). Meta-analysis on the chronic effects of exercise on depression in older adults. Current Issues in Sport Science (CISS), 10(2), 043. https://doi.org/10.36950/2025.2ciss043
Abstract
Introduction This review aimed to investigate the effects of chronic exercise on depression severity and various depressive symptoms in Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) including older adults with an average age of at least 60 years and a minimum level of mild depression. Thereby, the moderating effects of various intervention and individual characteristics were considered.
Methods We searched Web of Science, Academic Search Complete, MEDLINE, CINAHL, APA Psycinfo, SPORTDiscuss, and Cochrane from inception until July 2023. Primary outcomes targeted changes in overall depression severity assessed with validated depression scales; secondary outcomes included changes in specific symptoms that are related to depression such as sleep quality, fatigue, anxiety, mood, apathy, weight changes, processing speed, and executive functions. These were measured from baseline until the end of the intervention. Meta-analysis was undertaken to synthesize the effects of chronic exercise on primary and secondary outcomes. The moderating effects of intervention and individual characteristics were investigated by subgroup-analyses and meta-regression. Publication bias was addressed through sensitivity analyses. The quality and certainty of the evidence were assessed using GRADE and RoB 2.
Results The comprehensive search yielded 20,700 records, of which 145 peer-reviewed articles including 187 effect sizes met the inclusion criteria. We found that chronic exercise significantly improved overall depression severity (g = -0.68, p < .001, k = 187) as well as depressive symptoms related to anxiety (g = -0.56, p < .001, k = 24), BMI (g = -0.26, p = .005, k = 13), executive functions (g = -0.33, p = .004, k = 18), sleep (g = -0.47, p < .001, k = 14), and processing speed (g = -0.35, p = .015, k = 11). Regarding exercise characteristics, effects were particularly strong for interventions that included exergames, had a long duration, and involved high cognitive demand. Additionally, effects increased with advancing age and higher baseline depression severity. Egger’s test and an asymmetrical funnel plot suggest the presence of publication bias.
Discussion/Conclusion This study is up to date the most extensive review on chronic exercise effects on depression in older adults. The results highlight the importance of individualizing exercise regimens to achieve optimal outcomes. The conclusions drawn may provide a foundation for developing evidence-based recommendations for exercise programs aimed at alleviating depression in older adults.
Editors: Ellen Bentlage, Michael Brach, Yael Netz, Nerijus Masiulis
Abstract
The European Group for Research on Aging and Physical Activity (EGRAPA) is delighted to welcome all of you to the PhysAgeNet & EGRAPA Conference 2024, themed “Evidence-Based Physical Activity in Old Age.” Advances in technology now allow for unprecedented exploration of the body and mind, shifting our focus towards understanding the intricate neurochemical, cellular, and molecular processes influenced by various exercise regimes, including type, intensity, duration, and frequency. Our challenge in this conference is to enhance our understanding of “how it works” and to unravel the mechanisms behind the benefits of physical activity, as well as exercise behaviour in old age. Our scientific program includes three eminent scholars who will deliver central keynote speeches, along with symposiums, oral sessions, and poster presentations. Read the book of abstracts
Emelyn Mathot, Ali Hemadeh, Carlota Lema-Arranz, Veerle Knoop, Esma Islamaj, Ivan Bautmans, Laura Lorenzo-López, Vanessa Valdiglesias, Blanca Laffon (2024). Are circulating inflammatory markers in older adults influenced by physical interventions? An umbrella review. Oral Presentation at the PhysAgeNet & EGRAPA Conference 2024.
Abstract
Ageing-related alterations of the immune system involve a chronic low-grade inflammation called
“inflammageing”, characterized by increases in the levels of pro-inflammatory molecules, which
impair the maintenance of immunological homeostasis. Different modalities of exercise
interventions have been proposed to reduce inflammageing in older adults. The objective of this
umbrella review was to determine the effect of exercise on basal levels of the pro-inflammatory
biomarkers C-reactive protein (CRP), tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin 6 (IL-6),
and anti-inflammatory marker interleukin 10 (IL-10) in older adults. We searched PubMed and
Web of Science databases for relevant systematic reviews and meta-analyses in accordance with
PRISMA guidelines. Assessment of the methodological quality of studies was performed with
AMSTAR 2. The review protocol for this study was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42023411860).
After screening 228 studies for eligibility, 11 systematic reviews were included in the qualitative
synthesis (9 meta-analyses). The included reviews investigated the effect of resistance, aerobic,
functional, multimodal, high intensity interval and combined training, tai-chi, yoga, treadmill,
bench step exercises, and multicomponent aerobic exercises. All reviews described the effects of 6
weeks to 12 months long-term interventions with a frequency ranging from 1 session a week to
daily exercise sessions. All articles were of medium or high methodological quality. In general, a
decrease of CRP levels was found after long-term exercise in older adults, across different types of
exercise interventions. Regarding TNF-α, most articles described a decrease in circulating levels
after different types of exercise interventions. Although some studies showed lower
concentrations after exercise, effects on IL-6 were less conclusive. Only two reviews described the
effects of exercise on IL-10, showing increases, decreases or no effects.
In general, our umbrella review show that different types of exercise interventions can lower
circulating pro-inflammatory parameters CRP, TNF-α and IL-6 in older adults. However, more
studies are necessary to ascertain the effect of exercise interventions in older individuals on IL-
10.
Vints WAJ, Gökçe E, Langeard A, Pavlova I, Çevik ÖS, Ziaaldini MM, Todri J, Lena O, Sakkas GK, Jak S, Zorba I, Karatzaferi C, Levin O, Masiulis N, Netz Y. Myokines as mediators of cognitive improvements in older adults: living systematic review and meta-analysis. In PhysAgeNet & EGRAPA Conference 2024: “Evidence Based Physical Activity in Old Age”, Book of Abstracts. 2024.
Abstract
Background: There is a lack of agreement about the underlying mechanisms of the exercise-
induced cognitive improvements. Recently, myokines, factors released into the blood circulation
by contracting skeletal muscle, were proposed to mediate the beneficial effect of exercise on
cognition. We plan to continuously map the rapidly accumulating knowledge on pathways
between acute or chronic exercise-induced myokines and cognitive domains enhanced by exercise.
Method: We present the protocol for a living systematic review and meta-analysis. Randomized
controlled studies will be systematically collected at baseline and every 6 months for at least 5
years. Literature search will be performed online in PubMed, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Web of
Science, SportDiscus, LILACS, IBECS, CINAHL, SCOPUS, ICTRP, and ClinicalTrials.gov. A
random effects meta-analysis with mediation analysis using meta-analytic structural equation
modeling (MASEM) will be performed. The primary research question is to what extent exercise-
induced myokines serve as mediators of cognitive changes. Secondarily, the pooled effect size of
specific exercise characteristics or specific older adults’ populations on the relationship between
exercise, myokines, and cognition will be assessed.
Discussion: Our results will expand the understanding of the role of myokines in relation to
exercise-induced cognitive changes. This may ultimately lead to increased knowledge on
individualized exercise programs to target age-related cognitive decline.