Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Low-Intensity Exercise

A novel study by Yakeu et.al. (Yakeu. 2010) found beneficial effects of an 8 week low-intensity exercise program on 17 sedentary individuals walking 10,000 steps/day, three times/week:

"Exercise was associated with upregulation of M2 markers, PGC-1_α and PGC-1_β, and with downregulation of M1 markers. Moreover, plasma levels of Th2 cytokines increased after exercise, while those of Th1 cytokines decreased. However, other PPARs (PPARα; PPARβ/δ) did not undergo marked exercise-induced activation or upregulation. Thus, participation in low-intensity exercise may prime monocytes for differentiation towards an M2 macrophage phenotype via PPARγ/PGC-1_α/β. [...] Given the similarities between these effects and pharmacologically-induced M2 polarisation, we propose that exercise-induced PPARγ/PGC-1_α/β-mediated M2 polarisation may constitute a novel anti-inflammatory benefit of low-intensity exercise." (Yakeu. 2010)

It is reasonable to assume that those positive effects, if not that pronounced could be present in athletes and gymrats as well. From this perspective "taking the stairs" appears to be more attractive than ever.
On a side note: Light intensity exercise, even in times of regeneration, have has long been advocated by various trainers to decrease recuperation times. Here we have some scientific evidence for this principle.