Leucocytes, Lymphocytes, Activation Parameters and Cell Adhesion Molecules in Middle-Distance Runners under Different Training Conditions

Abstract

20 young male track and field runners (400 m-3000 m) with a 4 mmol/l lactic acid threshold of x = 4.97±0.35 m/s were tested after three different training peroids: 1. at the end of a two month endurance training, practised nearly every day; 2. after a period of speed and strength training, which was specific with respect to their discipline, with anaerobic lactic energy production up to 15mmol/l lactic acid; 3. during the competition period. The blood samples were taken at rest (4 p. m.) and 22 hrs after the last exercise. On the cell surface the antigens CD3+, CD20+CD23+, CD4+HLADR, CD4+CD25+, CD8+CD28+, CD4+CD45RO+, CD16+CD56+, CD54+ and in the blood serum the concentrations of s-IL-2-R, s-ICAM-1 were analysed. 13 students of physical education served as a control group. The main results were: Only at the end of the endurance training period (1) an increase of s-ICAM-1 was found, which may be interpreted as a protective mechanism against infections. Compared with the control group CD20+CD23+ antigen was constantly elevated and during the transition from the training to the competition period the CD4+CD45RO+ subset increased. These results may provide evidence for a connection to a suceptibility to allergic disease and to over-training. Furthermore, an activation of the specific immune system was indicated by an elevation of the s-IL-2-R and an activation of the monocytic-phagocytic system was shown by increased levels of ICAM-1. The importance of these results for the training process and with regard to susceptibility to infections is discussed.

Key words

Anaerobic exercise - soluble interleukin-2-receptor - lymphocyte - immunology - cell adhesion molecules.