Influence of age and fitness level on β-endorphin response to acute aerobic exercise in healthy men

• Published in: Sport sciences for health Vol. 21; no. 3; pp. 1513 - 1520
• Main Authors: Marano, Luigi, Tommasini, Ester, Missaglia, Sara, Vago, Paola, Rampinini, Ermanno, Bosio, Andrea, Morelli, Andrea, Pecci, Claudio, Mordente, Alvaro, Tavian, Daniela
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Milan Springer Milan 01.09.2025; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Aerobics; Age; Anthropometry; Body mass index; Endorphins; Exercise; Human Physiology; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Metabolic Diseases; Narcotics; Nervous system; Physical fitness; Sports Medicine; Young adults; Acute exercise; Beta-endorphin; Ageing; Physical fitness level; V̇O
• ISSN: 1824-7490; 1825-1234; 1825-1234
• DOI: 10.1007/s11332-025-01367-0

Purpose This study aimed to investigate the time course of β - endorphin (β-EDP) levels in healthy males following an acute exercise, while considering their age and physical fitness (PF) level. Methods Participants ( N  = 29, 20–65 years) were categorized in good PF young adult (YA1), excellent PF young adult (YA2), and excellent PF middle-aged adult (MA) group, depending on peak oxygen uptake and age. They underwent a maximal incremental cycling test, with blood samples collected at baseline (T0), 15 min (T1), and 24 h post-exercise (T2). Serum β-EDP levels were measured using an ELISA kit. Results Significant increases in β-EDP levels were observed from T0 to T1 in all enrolled subjects. In YA1, levels rose from 170.1 to 202.5 pg/ml ( p  < 0.001), in YA2 from 188.4 to 230.3 pg/ml ( p  < 0.05), and in MA level increased from 153 to 189.3 pg/ml ( p  < 0.01). YA2 showed higher levels of β-EDP than MA in any time point ( p  < 0.05). All groups displayed a significant decrease of β-EDP from T1 to T2. Comparison between groups revealed that age significantly influenced baseline β-EDP levels, with notable differences between young and middle-aged individuals. Noteworthy, MA with excellent PF presented similar β-EDP levels to young with good PF. Conclusion Acute exercise triggers a notable but transient elevation of serum β-EDP levels in both young and middle-aged adults, with the latter exhibiting lower baseline levels. Additionally, our findings suggest that age may have a greater influence on β-EDP secretion, both at rest and after physical exercise compared to PF level.