Int J Sports Med 2009; 30(12): 906-912
DOI: 10.1055/s-0029-1237389
Immunology

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Effects of Aerobic Conditioning on Salivary IgA and Plasma IgA, IgG and IgM in Older Men and Women

R. A. Martins1 , M. R. Cunha2 , A. P. Neves3 , M. Martins2 , M. Teixeira-Veríssimo4 , A. M. Teixeira1
  • 1University of Coimbra, Faculdade de Ciências do desporto e Educação Física, Centro de Estudos Biocinéticos, Coimbra, Portugal
  • 2University of Coimbra Hospitals, laboratory of Clinical Pathology, Coimbra, Portugal
  • 3Arganil Health Care Center, Laboratory of Clinical Analysis, Arganil, Portugal
  • 4University of Coimbra, Faculdade de Medicina, Centro de Estudos Biocinéticos, Coimbra, Portugal
Further Information

Publication History

accepted after revision July 13, 2009

Publication Date:
25 November 2009 (online)

Abstract

As people age, they experience a decline in immune responses. Unusually heavy acute or chronic exercise could increase the risk of upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) whereas regular moderate physical activity may reduce URTI symptomatology. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether an aerobic exercise program would promote chronic adaptations in plasma IgA, IgG and IgM, and salivary IgA (Sal-IgA) in both elderly women and men. Forty-three independently living men and women, aged between 65 and 96 years, were randomly assigned to an aerobic exercising or a control group. Each participant underwent three evaluations (pre, post at 16 weeks and follow-up at 32 weeks). The aerobic exercise group increased resting plasma IgA concentration from 1.08 g. L−1±0.50 g. L−1 to 2.29 g. L−1±0.93 g. L−1, whereas salivary IgA concentration was unchanged. The control group maintained the plasma IgA values but experienced a decrease in Sal-IgA. The IgG and IgM plasma concentrations increased in both groups, however, only the exercise group maintained higher values in the final follow-up evaluation. Regular aerobic exercise may be effective in promoting IgA immunity and protecting against the deterioration in Sal-IgA values observed in the control group. No gender differences in the immunoglobulin responses to aerobic training were observed.

References

  • 1 Akimoto T, Kumai Y, Akama T, Hayashi E, Murakami H, Soma R, Kuno S, Kono I. Effects of 12 months of exercise training on salivary secretory IgA levels in elderly subjects.  Br J Sports Med. 2003;  37 76-79
  • 2 Aydar Y, Balogh P, Tew JG, Szakal AK. Follicular dendritic cells in aging, a “bottle-neck” in the humoral immune response.  Ageing Res Rev. 2004;  3 15-29
  • 3 Beery TA. Sex differences in infection and sepsis.  Crit Care Nur Clin North Am. 2003;  15 55-62
  • 4 Buyukyazi G, Kutukculer N, Kutlu N, Genel F, Karadeniz G, Ozkutuk N. Differences in the cellular and humoral immune system between middle-aged men with different intensity and duration of physical training.  J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 2004;  44 207-214
  • 5 Callister R, Gleeson M. The relevance of salivary IgA for the immunological management of athletes. In: Teixeira AM (ed) Conferences in Exercise Immunology. Coimbra: Centre of Biokinetic Studies 2007: 11-19
  • 6 Ennist DL, Jones KH, St Pierre RL, Whisler RL. Functional analysis of the immunosenescence of the human B cell system: Dissociation of normal activation and proliferation from impaired terminal differentiation into IgM immunoglobulin-secreting cells.  J Immunol. 2001;  136 99-105
  • 7 Fahlman MM, Morgan AL, McNevin N, Boardley DJ, Topp R. Salivary s-IgA response to training in functionally limited elders.  J Ageing Phys Act. 2003;  11 502-515
  • 8 Gleeson M, Hall ST, McDonald WA, Flanagan AJ, Clancy RL. Salivary IgA subclasses and infection risk in elite swimmers.  Immunol Cell Biol. 1999;  77 351-355
  • 9 Gleeson M, McDonald WA, Pyne DB, Clancy RL, Cripps AW, Francis JL, Fricker PA. Immune status and respiratory illness for elite swimmers during a 12-week training cycle.  Int J Sports Med. 2000;  21 302-307
  • 10 Gleeson M, Pyne DB, Callister R. The missing links in exercise effects on mucosal immunity.  Exerc Immunol Rev. 2004;  10 107-128
  • 11 Grant RW, Mariani RA, Vieira VJ, Fleshner M, Smith TP, Keylock KT, Lowder TW, McAuley E, Hu L, Chapman-Novakofski K, Woods JA. Cardiovascular exercise intervention improves primary antibody response to keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLM) in previously sedentary older adults.  Brain Behav Immun. 2008;  22 923-932
  • 12 Gruver AL, Hudson LL, Sempowski GD. Immunosenescence of ageing.  J Pathol. 2007;  211 144-156
  • 13 Gutiérrez F, Masiá M, Mirete C, Soldán B, Rodríguez JC, Padilla S, Hermández I, Royo G, Martin- Hidalgo A. The influence of age and gender on the population-based incidence of community-acquired pneumonia caused by different microbial pathogens.  J Infect. 2006;  53 166-174
  • 14 Halson SL, Lancaster GI, Jeukendrup AE, Gleeson M. Immunological responses to overreaching in cyclists.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2003;  35 854-861
  • 15 Houston MS, Silverstein MD, Suman VJ. Risk factors for 30-day mortality in elderly patients with lower respiratory tract infection. Community-based study.  Arch Intern Med. 1977;  157 2190-2195
  • 16 Karacabey K, Saygin O, Ozmerdivenli R, Zorba E, Godekmerdan A, Bulut V. The effects of exercise on the immune system and stress hormones in sportswomen.  Neuro Endocrinol Lett. 2005;  26 361-366
  • 17 Karacabey K, Peker I, Saygin O, Ciloglu F, Ozmerdivenli R, Bulut V. Effect of acute aerobic and anaerobic exercise on humoral immune factors in elite athletes.  Biotechnol & Biotechnol Eq. 2005;  19 175-180
  • 18 Kardar GA, Shams SH, Pourpak Z, Moin M. Normal value of immunoglobulins IgA, IgG, and IgM in Iranian healthy adults, measured by nephelometry.  J Immunoassay Immunochem. 2003;  24 359-367
  • 19 Klentrou P, Cieslak T, MacNeil M, Vintinner A, Plyley M. Effect of moderate exercise on salivary immunoglobulin A and infection risk in humans.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 2002;  87 153-158
  • 20 Kohut ML, Arntson B, LeeW, Rozeboom K, Yoon KJ, Cunnick JE, McElhaney J. Moderate exercise improves antibody response to influenza immunization in older adults.  Vaccine. 2002;  22 2298-2306
  • 21 Kohut ML, Senchina DS. Reversing age-associated immunosenescence via exercise.  Exerc Immunol Rev. 2004;  10 6-41
  • 22 Laing SJ, Gwynne D, Blackwell J, Williams M, Walters R, Walsh NP. Salivary IgA response to prolonged exercise in a hot environment in trained cyclists.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 2005;  93 665-671
  • 23 Lamm ME, Nedrud JG, Kaetzel CS, Mazanec MB. IgA and mucosal defense.  Acta Pathol Microbiol Immunol Scand. 1995;  103 241-246
  • 24 Libicz S, Mercier B, Bigou N, Le Gallais D, Castex F. Salivary IgA response of triathletes participating in the French Iron Tour.  Int J Sports Med. 2006;  27 389-394
  • 25 Miletic ID, Schiffman SS, Miletic VD, Sattely-Miller EA. Salivary IgA secretion rate in young and elderly persons.  Physiol Behav. 1996;  60 243-248
  • 26 Nehlsen-Cannarella SL, Nieman DC, Balk-Lamberton AJ, Markoff PA, Chritton DB, Gusewitch G, Lee JW. The effects of moderate exercise training on immune response.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1991;  23 64-70
  • 27 Nieman DC, Nehlsen-Cannarella SL. The effects of acute and chronic exercise of immunoglobulins.  Sports Med. 1991;  11 183-201
  • 28 Nieman DC, Henson DA, Gusewitch G, Warren BJ, Dotson RC, Butterworth DE, Nehlsen-Cannarella SL. Physical activity and immune function in elderly women.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1993;  25 823-831
  • 29 Nieman DC. Exercise immunology: practical applications.  Int J Sports Med. 1997;  18 S91-S100
  • 30 Nieman DC, Henson DA, Austin MD, Brown VA. Immune response to a 30-min walk.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2005;  37 57-62
  • 31 Rikli RE, Jones CJ. Development and validation of a functional fitness test for community-residing older adults.  J Aging Phys Act. 1999;  7 129-161
  • 32 Rikli RE, Jones CJ. Senior Fitness Test Manual. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics 2001
  • 33 Ring C, Carroll D, Hoving J, Ormerod J, Harrison LK, Drayson M. Effects of competition, exercise, and mental stress on secretory immunity.  J Sports Sci. 2005;  23 501-508
  • 34 Sainz RM, Mayo JC, Reiter RJ, Tan DX, Rodriguez C. Apoptosis in primary lymphoid organs with aging.  Microsc Res Tech. 2003;  62 524-539
  • 35 Sari-Sarraf V, Reilly T, Doran D, Atkinson G. The effects of single and repeated bouts of soccer-specific exercise on salivary IgA.  Arch Oral Biol. 2007;  52 526-532
  • 36 Sari-Sarraf V, Reilly T, Doran D, Atkinson G. Effects of repeated bouts of soccer-specific intermittent exercise on salivary IgA.  Int J Sports Med. 2008;  29 366-371
  • 37 Shephard RJ, Shek NP. Exercise, aging and immune function.  Int J Sports Med. 1995;  16 1-6
  • 38 Shimizu K, Kimura F, Akimoto T, Akama T, Kuno S, Kono I. Effect of free-living daily physical activity on salivary secretory IgA in elderly.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2007;  39 593-598
  • 39 Shimizu K, Kimura F, Akimoto T, Akama T, Otsuki T, Nishijima T, Kuno S, Kono I. Effects of exercise, age and gender on salivary secretory immunoglobulin A in elderly individuals.  Exerc Immunol Rev. 2007;  13 55-66
  • 40 Smith JA. Guidelines, standards, and perspectives in exercise immunology.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1995;  27 497-506
  • 41 Smith TP, Kennedy SL, Fleshner M. Influence of age and physical activity on the primary in vivo antibody and T-cell mediated responses in men.  J Appl Physiol. 2004;  97 491-498
  • 42 Suzuki K, Tagami K. Voluntary wheel-running exercise enhances antigen-specific antibody-producing B cell response and prolongs IgG half-life in the blood.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 2005;  94 514-519
  • 43 Tanaka H, Monahan KD, Seals DR. Age-predicted maximal heart rate revisited.  J Am Coll Cardiol. 2001;  37 153-156
  • 44 Tharp GD, Barnes MW. Reduction of saliva immunoglobulin levels by swim training.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 1990;  60 61-64
  • 45 Whitham M, Laing SJ, Dorrington M, Walters R, Dunklin S, Bland D, Bilzon JL, Walsh NP. The influence of an arduous military training program on immune function and upper respiratory tract infection incidence.  Military Med. 2006;  171 703-709

Correspondence

Dr. A. M. Teixeira

Faculdade de Ciências do

Desporto e Educação Física

Centro de Estudos Biocinéticos

Estádio Universitário

Pavilhão 3

Sta Clara

3040-156 Coimbra

Portugal

Phone: 35/12/3980 27 70

Fax: 35/12/3980 27 79

Email: ateixeira@fcdef.uc.pt