Changes in serum IL-6 and BDNF during golf

26 This study investigated the acute effect of an 18-hole round of golf on serum interleukin-6 27 (IL-6) and brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF) concentration. Nine young, healthy males, 28 unaccustomed to playing golf, completed an 18-hole round of golf (course length: 5,807 m.). Blood 29 samples were collected prior to, immediately after and 1 h following completion of the exercise 30 session. Interleukin-6 and BDNF, as well as creatine kinase (CK) and myoglobin concentrations 31 were analysed in serum, while adrenaline concentrations were assessed in plasma. The participants 32 completed the course in 303±4 min. Serum IL-6 and BDNF concentration were respectively 33 elevated 8.6±5.4-fold and 1.2±0.3-fold immediately post-exercise (IL-6 p = 0.008; BDNF p = 34 0.038). Creatine kinase (p = 0.008), myoglobin (p = 0.011) and adrenaline concentrations (p = 35 0.038) were also acutely elevated following completion of the golf course. Creatine kinase and 36 myoglobin concentrations were significantly correlated with the acute increase in IL-6 37 concentration post-exercise (r = 0.70 p = 0.034, r = 0.79 p = 0.012, respectively), while no such 38 relationship was found for BDNF concentration. (r = 0.37 p = 0.333, r = 0.08 p = 0.833, 39 respectively). An 18-hole round of golf acutely elevates IL-6 and BDNF concentration in young, 40 healthy males unaccustomed to playing golf. The correlation of CK and myoglobin with the acute 41 IL-6 response suggests that muscle damage may have influenced the acute increase of this marker. 42 Together, this pilot-study indicates that golf may be promoted as an accessible, low-intensity 43 activity to acutely elevate markers suggested to stimulate improvements in metabolic health and 44 cognitive function. 45 46 Keywords; cytokines; myokines; exercise adherence; exercise promotion; cognitive function 47