title: The influence of an arduous military training program on immune function and upper respiratory tract infection incidence.
abstract: The effects of the first 19 weeks of U.K. Parachute Regiment (PARA) training on upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) incidence and immune function (circulating leukocyte counts, lymphocyte subsets, lipopolysaccharide-stimulated neutrophil degranulation, and salivary immunoglobulin A concentrations) were investigated for 14 PARA recruits and 12 control subjects. No significant differences were reported between groups for the number or duration of URTIs, lymphocyte subsets, or salivary immunoglobulin A concentrations during training. URTI incidence was greater in the PARA group at weeks 2 and 3 (p < 0.05), coinciding with a decrease in circulating leukocyte and lymphocyte counts (p < 0.05). Neutrophil degranulation was similar in the PARA and control groups at weeks 0 and 19. Decreases in saliva flow rate occurred in the PARA group at week 15 and weeks 18 to 20 (p < 0.05). These results show a limited effect of PARA training on URTI incidence and immune function. The progressive decrease in saliva flow rate during PARA training may indicate an ensuing state of hypohydration.
authors.affiliation: School of Sport, Health, and Exercise Sciences, University of Wales, Bangor LL57 2PZ, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Whitham
authors.forename: Stewart J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Laing
authors.forename: Melanie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dorrington
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Walters
authors.forename: Steve
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dunklin
authors.forename: Duncan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bland
authors.forename: James L J
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Bilzon
authors.forename: Neil P
authors.initials: NP
authors.lastname: Walsh
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001359:Aviation / Q000193:education; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System / Q000502:physiology*; D007071:Immunoglobulin A, Secretory / Q000032:analysis; D015994:Incidence; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000502:physiology; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000032:analysis; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000193:education*; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D012463:Saliva / Q000276:immunology; D013664:Teaching Materials; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D007071:Immunoglobulin A, Secretory; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides