The effect of exercise training on the course of cardiac troponin T and I levels: three independent training studies

With the introduction of high-sensitive assays, cardiac troponins became potential biomarkers for risk stratification and prognostic medicine. Observational studies have reported an inverse association between physical activity and basal cardiac troponin levels. However, causality has never been demonstrated. This study investigated whether basal cardiac troponin concentrations are receptive to lifestyle interventions such as exercise training. Basal high-sensitive cardiac troponin T (cTnT ) and I (cTnI) were monitored in two resistance-type exercise training programs (12-week (study 1) and 24-week (study 2)) in older adults (≥65 years). In addition, a retrospective analysis for high sensitive troponin I in a 24-week exercise controlled trial in (pre)frail older adults was performed (study 3). In total, 91 subjects were included in the final data analyses. There were no significant changes in cardiac troponin levels over time in study 1 and 2 (study 1: cTnT -0.13 (-0.33-+0.08) ng/L/12-weeks, cTnI -0.10 (-0.33-+0.12) ng/L/12-weeks; study 2: cTnT -1.99 (-4.79-+0.81) ng/L/24-weeks, cTnI -1.59 (-5.70-+2.51) ng/L/24-weeks). Neither was there a significant interaction between training and the course of cardiac troponin in study 3 (p = 0.27). In conclusion, this study provides no evidence that prolonged resistance-type exercise training can modulate basal cardiac troponin levels.