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CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 · Sports Med Int Open 2021; 05(01): E1-E7
DOI: 10.1055/a-1296-1486
Immunology

Multi-Micronutrient Supplementation and Immunoglobulin Response in Well-Fed Firefighters

José Augusto Rodrigues Santos
1   Centre of Research, Education, Innovation and Intervention in Sport (CIFI2D), Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
,
Ricardo J. Fernandes
1   Centre of Research, Education, Innovation and Intervention in Sport (CIFI2D), Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
2   Porto Biomechanics Laboratory (LABIOMEP‑UP), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
,
Rodrigo Zacca
1   Centre of Research, Education, Innovation and Intervention in Sport (CIFI2D), Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
2   Porto Biomechanics Laboratory (LABIOMEP‑UP), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
3   Ministry of Education, CAPES Foundation, Brazilia, Brazil
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Abstract

Intensive physical training programs can affect the immune system. This study aims to verify the multi-micronutrient supplementation effects on serum immunoglobulins levels prior to and after a five-week physical training program. Twenty-four male recruit firefighters were randomly allocated into supplemented (with Prisfar Ever-Fit Plus over 35 consecutive days) and placebo groups (n=12 each). Serum immunoglobulins G, A, and M were assessed. Supplementation effect was detected for immunoglobulin G (eta-squared, η2: 0.09; p=0.035; power: 0.56), A (η2: 0.24; p=0.001; power: 0.95), and M (η2: 0.09; p=0.036; power: 0.56). Although immunoglobulin A was different between groups at baseline (mean difference: 42.58; 95%CI: 7.00 to 78.16 mg/dL; p=0.021; d=2.48), within-group (before vs. after five weeks) showed no differences for both supplemented and control groups. In addition, even if immunoglobulin G and M were similar at baseline, immunoglobulin G decreased (mean diff.: 46.4; 95%CI: 6.7 to 86.1 mg/dL; p=0.03; d=0.74) and immunoglobulin M increased (mean diff.: −10.7; 95%CI: −15.8 to −5.5 mg/dL; p=0.001; d=−1.33) in the control group. Although mean values remained within the reference values, changes observed for immunoglobulin G and M may reflect some immune protection for firefighters engaged in recruit training.

Key words

exercise - immunoglobulin - nutrition - firefighters - training


Publication History

Received: 26 March 2020

Accepted after revision: 22 October 2020

Article published online:
17 December 2020

© 2020. The Author(s). This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonDerivative-NonCommercial-License, permitting copying and reproduction so long as the original work is given appropriate credit. Contents may not be used for commercial purposes, or adapted, remixed, transformed or built upon. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

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