Abstract
Immune changes following 2 h of intensive cycling with or without rest intervals were
measured in trained cyclists (n = 12) who functioned as their own controls during
two test sessions that were separated by two weeks. Subjects cycled for 2.0 h at ∼
64 % Wattsmax continuously (C) or with 3-min rest intervals (R) interspersed every 10 min (2.6
h total time), with the order of the sessions randomized. Blood samples were collected
30-min pre-exercise, and immediately and 1-h postexercise, and assayed for blood leukocyte
subset counts, plasma IL-6, IL-10, IL-1ra, IL-8, PHA-induced lymphocyte proliferation,
and natural killer cell activity (NKCA). Significant time effects were measured for
all immune measures, but no significant differences in the pattern of change were
found between C and R exercise trials. In conclusion, immune changes induced by 2
h of intense and prolonged exercise paralleled those measured when athletes rested
3 min every 10 min of exercise.
Key words
exercise - cytokines - lymphocytes - natural killer cell activity
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Dr. David Nieman
Appalachian State University
HLES
PO Box 32 071
28608 Boone, NC
United States
eMail: niemandc@appstate.edu
