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Int J Sports Med 2000; 21(4): 302-307
DOI: 10.1055/s-2000-313
Immunology
Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart ·New York

Immune Status and Respiratory Illness for Elite Swimmers During a 12-Week Training Cycle

M. Gleeson1 , W. A. McDonald 2 , D. B. Pyne 2 , R. L. Clancy 3 , A. W. Cripps 4 , J. L. Francis 3 , P. A. Fricker 2
  • 1 Hunter Immunology Unit, Hunter Area Pathology Service, Royal Newcastle Hospital, Newcastle, Australia
  • 2 Centre for Sports Science and Sports Medicine, Australian Institute of Sport, Belconnen, Australia
  • 3 Faculty of Medicine and Health Service, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia
  • 4 GADI Research Centre, University of Canberra, Belconnen, Australia
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Publication History

Publication Date:
31 December 2000 (online)

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The impact of a 12-week training program by elite swimmers on systemic and mucosal immunity was studied prospectively to examine the relationship between changes in immune parameters and the incidence of respiratory illness. Saliva was collected before and after selected training sessions at 2 weekly intervals. There were significant decreases in salivary IgA (p = 0.05) and salivary IgM (p < 0.0001) concentrations after individual training sessions, but no significant changes in salivary IgG or albumin concentrations. Over the 12-week training program there were small but statistically significant increases in pre-exercise concentrations of salivary IgA (p < 0.001), IgM (p = 0.015) and IgG (p = 0.003) and post-exercise salivary IgA (p < 0.001). There were no significant trends over the 12 weeks for any class of serum immunoglobulins but a significant fall in NK-cell numbers (p < 0.001). There were no associations between serum or salivary immunoglobulin levels or NK-cell numbers and upper respiratory tract illness (URTI) during the 12-week program. The data indicated that despite changes in some immune parameters during this final training program prior to competition there were no associations detected with URTI for this cohort of elite swimmers.

Key words:

IgA, IgM, IgG, albumin, NK-cells, exercise, infection.

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Dr. Maree Gleeson

Hunter Immunology Unit Hunter Area Pathology Service Royal Newcastle Hospital

P.O. Box 664J Newcastle NSW 2300 Australia

Phone: Phone:+ 61-2-4923-6188

Fax: Fax:+ 61-2-4923-6623

Email: E-mail:mgleeson@mail.newcastle.edu.au

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