Single Bout Exercise in Children with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: Impact on Inflammatory Markers

OBJECTIVE: In a context of inflammatory disease such as juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), we do not know what impact physical activity may have on a deregulated immune system. The objective is to measure the impact of a single bout of exercise on plasma inflammatory markers such as calprotectin, IL-6, sIL-6R, sgp130, and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis. METHODS: Twelve children with JIA performed a nonexercise control day and a consecutive day that included a 20 min exercise bout at 70% of max-HR at 08:30 am. Venous blood samples were taken at 08:30, 08:50, 09:30, 10:30 am, and 12:00 pm to measure plasma concentrations of calprotectin, IL-6, sIL-6R, sgp130, cortisol, and ACTH. Pain was evaluated at 08:30, 08:50 am, and 06:00 pm. RESULTS: There was a transient twofold increase in postexercise self-evaluated pain (p = 0.03) that disappeared in the evening. A single bout of exercise resulted in a 1.7-fold increase in plasma calprotectin (p < 0.001) but not IL-6 and its soluble receptors. Calprotectin levels returned to baseline within 3 hours after cessation of exercise. CONCLUSION: Acute exercise in children with JIA induced slightly musculoskeletal leg pain and transient increased plasma calprotectin levels but not IL-6 levels. Trial registration in ClinicalTrials.gov, reference number NCT 02502539, registered on 29 May 2015.