Influence of two training programs of different intensity on immuno-inflammatory responses and adaptation in female athletes performing strenuous exercise

ABSTRACT

Chronic exhaustive exercise is associated by increase rate of illnesses, muscle soreness and may induce immunosuppression. However there are only few data on the immune-inflammatory response to moderate intensity aerobic exercise as an adapting program in female athletes subjected to prolonged exhaustive exercises. 20 female students from El-Gezera Faculty of Sports Education performing strenuous exercises during practical lessons. They were divided into 2 groups group A, performed a strenuous aerobic exercise program,one session of 60 min / day, 3 days / week, for 8 weeks. Group B, performed a moderate intensity aerobic program, one session of 60 min/day, 3 days/week for 8 weeks. Both group were subjected to an effort test [15 min. running], before and after doing the programs. Radial pulse, mean arterial blood pressure [MBP] were recorded and blood samples were taken pre and post-effort test, for determination of complete blood count, plasma interleukin-6 [IL-6] and creatine kinase [CK]. Also, the performance level for [ballet phrase] was measured pre and post effort. At base line, both groups showed significant increase in all parameters in response to acute exercise [i-e effort test], except the performance score. After doing the program, the moderate exercise attenuated the response to acute exercise of radial pulse, MBP, plasma IL-6 and CK, and increased the performance level compared to both pre-program values and to strenuous exercise group. At base line the haematological parameters showed insignificant changes between the two groups. After performing the program, both group showed significant increase in the mean corpuscular volume [MCV] and the total leucocytic count. However, leucocytosis was attributed to neutrophilia, with increased band-to-segmented neutrophil ratio, in strenuous exercise group. This together with decreased lymphocytes suggesting inflammatory response and immunosuppressive effect of exhaustive exercise. On the other hand, leucocytosis was attributed to increased lymphocytes in moderate exercise group, suggesting improvement of immunity by regular exercise of moderate intensity. The CK levels were positively correlated to neutrophilia and elevated IL-6 levels in strenuous exercise group, but did not correlated to IL-6 in moderate exercise group. Our result demonstrated that muscle damage is closely related to the intensity of exercise and improved by regular moderate aerobic exercise. However, IL-6 did not necessarily reflect muscle damage but may indicate inflammatory response, as it follow CK and neutraphilia by strenuous exercise only, but follow neutrophils response in both types of exercise. In addition body immunity, physical fitness and performance level are negatively affected by prolonged exhaustive exercise, and they improved by regular moderate exercise program. So coaches must gauge training programs to optimize not only physical function, but also immune responses.We recommend further studies with different ages and sex groups and under different physiological conditions