Immunological status of competitive cyclists before and after the training season.
The total number of leucocytes, T lymphocyte subsets, mitogen induced proliferation of lymphocytes, Il-2 generation, adherence capacity and chemiluminescence of granulocytes were measured and a leukergy test performed in fifteen young cyclists. The investigations were carried out at rest at the beginning of a training season and after six months of intensive training and a racing season, cycling approximately 500 km a week. Baseline values of the tested immune parameters were within the range observed in 16 non-trained healthy controls except significantly increased non stimulated neutrophil chemiluminescence. The second cyclo-ergometer test in August showed a marked improvement in the performance capacity of the cyclists. Significant decrease in absolute numbers of CD3+ and CD4+ cells, diminished IL-2 generation and fMLP and PMA stimulated chemiluminescence of neutrophils were noted. Surprisingly, a marked increase in lymphocyte proliferation induced by PHA and anti-CD3 MoAb and normalisation in non stimulated neutrophil chemiluminescence were also observed at rest after the training season. We conclude that long-lasting intensive training may result in significant alterations in lymphocyte number and composition and in neutrophil oxidative burst capacity, but their actual significance for immunity is seen controversially.
Baj
Z
Z
Microbiology and Virology Center, Polish Academy of Sciences.
Kantorski
J
J
Majewska
E
E
Zeman
K
K
Pokoca
L
L
Fornalczyk
E
E
Tchórzewski
H
H
Sulowska
Z
Z
Lewicki
R
R
D000328:Adult; D001642:Bicycling / Q000502:physiology*; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D006098:Granulocytes / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000378:metabolism; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000276:immunology; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets
D007376:Interleukin-2