Analysing the Impact of Resistance Training on Salivary Inflammatory Biomarkers Interleukin 6 And C – Reactive Protein

Abstract

Background: Chronic low-grade inflammation is a recognized precursor to cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. While systemic inflammatory markers are typically measured via serum, non-invasive salivary diagnostics offer a viable clinical alternative. This study investigated the effect of a structured 12-week resistance training (RT) program on salivary C-reactive protein (CRP) and Interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels.
Methods: A quasi-experimental pre- and post-test design was employed involving 50 healthy adults (18 males, 32 females; aged 34–45 years). Participants underwent 24 supervised resistance training sessions using progressive latexfree Theraband resistance over 12 weeks, adhering to American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines. Salivary samples were collected using the passive drool method following standardized operating procedures.
Results: Analysis of 44 paired samples revealed a highly significant reduction in salivary biomarkers post-intervention. Salivary CRP decreased from 2.99 ± 0.48 mg/L to 2.51 ± 0.48 mg/L (t = 9.61, p < 0.001), and salivary IL-6 decreased from 24.85 ± 7.30 pg/mL to 23.45 ± 7.29 pg/mL (t = 7.90, p < 0.001). /mL to 23.45 ± 7.29 pg /mL (t = 7.90, p < 0.001). Parallel serum analysis demonstrated similar directional trends, supporting the validity of saliva as a surrogate for systemic inflammatory monitoring.
Conclusion: Structured resistance training significantly attenuates salivary markers of inflammation. These findings suggest that resistance training can modulate the inflammatory milieu, potentially reducing cardiovascular and metabolic risk. The alignment between serum and salivary trends reinforces the utility of saliva as a practical, noninvasive tool for systemic biomarker assessment.