The studies included 349 Masters athletes (average ages of 46–74), 204 untrained middle-aged and older adults (average ages of 46–75), and 96 untrained young adults (average ages of 20–32).

Compared to age-matched untrained controls, Masters athletes had lower (better) levels of CRP and higher (better) levels of interleukin 10. Compared to untrained young adults, Masters athletes had higher (worse) levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin 6 and lower (worse) levels of interleukin 10, but lower (better) levels of CRP.

The methodological quality was high in 4 studies, moderate in 4 studies, and low or very low in 9 studies, and only 5 studies made adjustments to account for the effect of potential confounders.

Lifelong exercise may counteract age-related low-grade inflammation Original paper