Authors
Seth M. Rinehart, Department of Health and Human Performance, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA
Kristofer Jennings, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Department of Biostatistics, Houston, TX, USA
Emily C. LaVoy, Department of Health and Human Performance, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA
Yoonjung Park, Department of Health and Human Performance, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA
Melissa M. Markofski, Department of Health and Human Performance, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA
International Journal of Exercise Science 19(2): 2020, 2026.
DOI: 10.70252/IJES2026220
Abstract
Exercise may be a method to improve desirable numbers of circulating T cells; however, the best exercise dose and type for increasing circulating T cells is still relatively unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine the role of absolute intensity during a single session of cardiorespiratory exercise or resistance exercise on exercise-induced changes in T cell subsets counts. In this randomized complete crossover design, healthy middle-aged-to-older adults (n=24; 63.0 ± 1.0 years) completed a single session of treadmill walking (cardiorespiratory exercise: CRE) for 30 minutes at 70% of heart rate reserve or resistance exercise (RE) at 70% 1 repetition maximum on separate days. Blood was collected at rest and immediately after exercise. Cells were stained and analyzed on a flow cytometer. Serum was stored for batch analyses of cortisol and cytomegalovirus seropositivity. Absolute RE intensity (total volume lifted) had a positive effect on the number of T cells in circulation for five of the T cell populations (CD3+, CD4+ CM, CD8+ CM, CD8+ EM, and Naïve CD8+; p<0.05), but small effect size may suggest a limited significance for some T cell subsets. Absolute CRE intensity (treadmill speed, grade) had no effect on any of the 16 T cell subsets. At the same relative intensity, circulating T cell response to acute exercise is influenced by absolute intensity in resistance exercise but not in cardiorespiratory exercise. This supports that RE absolute intensity may need to be considered with relative intensity to modify post-exercise T cell numbers.
Recommended Citation
Rinehart, Seth M.; Jennings, Kristofer; LaVoy, Emily C.; Park, Yoonjung; Markofski, Melissa M. (2026) “Post-Exercise T-Cell Response Influenced by Absolute Intensity in Resistance Exercise, But Not Cardiorespiratory Exercise in Middle-Aged to Older-Adults,” International Journal of Exercise Science, 19(2):2020.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.70252/IJES2026220