effect of gender differences on the response of IL-6, IL-5, cortisol to single session of circuit resistance exercise in elite handball players

ABSTRACT

Very few studies have been done with regard to the gender differences of the immune system in responding to exercise, which generally do not control women's period cycle. Considering that levels of sex hormones differ during the menstrual cycle this study investigates the influence of gender differences on the response of IL-6, IL-15, cortisol and sex hormone to a single session of circuit resistance exercise in both male and female elite Handball players, while controlling CHECK on the women menstrual period cycles. The participants of the study were 12 elite Handball players, 5 men and 7 women. The circuit resistance exercise included 10 min warming, performing chest press, leg press, leg press, abdominal crunch, literal pull down, leg extension in 3 sets with 10 repetitions with 60% 1RM and 10 min cooling down. Pre, immediately and 2 hours post exercise, the blood samples were collected in order to measure IL-6, IL-15, cortisol, testosterone and estrogen levels. Results indicated that IL-6 concentration was different in the two groups after the exercise, which showed an increase in men and a decrease in women. There was no significant difference between the two groups IL-15 levels, but significant difference was observed between the two groups in cortisol, testosterone and estrogen levels. A single session of circuit resistance exercise resulted in different responses in the Immune system of men, in comparison with women