Abstract

Purpose: The aim of the study is to investigate serum levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-10 and lactate in response to combat physical fitness test. Methods: 20 volunteer (26.95 years, BMI: 22.13 ± 2.78 kg/m2) subjects were engaged to participate the test consisted: (1) 25-yd sprint to J-hook, to 25-yd crawl, and 25-yd run through cones to 75-yd line; split (2) 75-yd casualty drag; split (3) ammo can run to grenade toss (75-yd); (4) ammo can run to end (75-yd); and (5) 650 yard endurance run. Blood was drawn before and after exercise, and circulating IL-6 and IL-10 as well as plasma levels of lactate were assessed. The levels of IL-6 and IL-10 were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: The results of the pre-test and post-test variables show: post-test heart rate and blood lactate were significantly elevated due to combat test (p = 0.001). Plasma interleukin 6 increased significantly after combat-related test (p = 0.003), but interleukin 10 had no dramatic change after the test. There were strongly significant correlations between post-test IL-6 and lactate levels (P < 0.001, r = − 0.591). Conclusion: In conclusion, it suggested that IL-6 is responsive to short-term maximal power output required in combat readiness test. However, it appears that 3–4 min of high-intensity exercise induces comparatively moderate post-exercise increment in IL-6, which appears to be inadequate to activate the systemic anti-inflammatory influences that are mediated via secondary IL-6-activated up-regulation of anti-inflammatory signaling myokines such as IL-10. © 2019, Springer-Verlag Italia S.r.l., part of Springer Nature.