EFFECT OF EXERCISE ON THE LEVEL OF IMMUNOGLOBULIN A IN SALIVA

The aim of this paper is to describe the structure, production and function of secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) as well as changes of its concentration caused by exercise of various intensity and duration. Immunoglobulin A is the main class of antibodies present in the body secreted fluids such as saliva, tears or mucus from the intestines. It is generally recognized that IgA, due to its dominance in the immune system of mucous membranes, is the first line of defence against harmful environmental factors. The secretion and composition of saliva depends on the activity of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. Physical activity, stimulating the autonomous nervous system, may reduce the amount of saliva and/or inhibit its secretion. The relationship between physical activity and the suppression of the immune system is not fully understood, but it is known that moderate intensity exercise can improve immune defences, while extreme effort can reduce them by creating an increased risk of upper respiratory tract inflammation (URTI). In athletes, the lowest risk of upper tract infection was connected with the case of moderate intensity exercise. It is now believed that the relationship between exercise volume and the risk of URTI has the shape of the letter “J”. This means that both too little and too much physical activity may increase the risk of upper respiratory tract infection. Training optimization and correct balance between exercise and rest periods may reduce the risk of adverse changes in the immune system and decrease the frequency of URTI

INFLUENCE OF TRAINING ON ANAEROBIC POWER AND CAPACITY OF UPPER AND LOWER LIMBS IN YOUNG GRECO-ROMAN WRESTLERS

The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of training on selected markers of anaerobic capacity of upper and lower limbs in male, Greco-Roman wrestlers from 16 to 19 years of age. The study was conducted four times at one-year intervals on the same group of male competitors (n=12). Every year at the beginning of the second preparatory period all wrestlers performed arm cranking and leg cycling 30 s Wingate tests. The relative peak and mean power of upper limbs were higher in 17-, 18-, and 19-year-old wrestlers compared to 16-year-old ones, but were similar in 17- and 18-year-old athletes. The highest peak and mean power of legs were found in 19-year-old wrestlers. In 18-year-old athletes, the peak power was lower than in 17-year-olds and was similar to 16-year-old wrestlers. The relative mean power in the group of 18-year-old athletes was lower compared to 16- and 17-year-old ones, but it was similar in 17- and 19-year-old wrestlers. Changes in the levels of the relative peak and mean power of upper and lower limb muscles in wrestlers occurred at different periods between the age of 16 and 19. However, it seems that inappropriately chosen training loads may reduce short-term power outputs despite age correct increase in anthropometric parameters. Wrongly applied training did not bring positive effects and could inhibit, for some time, the natural development of power in young wrestlers

ASSESSMENT OF INTAKE AND NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF VITAMIN B1, B2, AND B6 IN MEN AND WOMEN WITH DIFFERENT PHYSICAL ACTIVITY LEVELS

The purpose of the present study was to examine the nutritional status of vitamin B1, B2, and B6 in respect to dietary intake of these vitamins and activity coefficients of the erythrocyte enzymes transketolase, glutathione reductase, and aspartic aminotransferase in young men and women with different physical activity levels. The participants of this study were 20 women and 20 men with high physical activity (groups HAW and HAM, respectively), and 20 women and 20 men with low physical activity (groups LAW and LAM, respectively). The intake of vitamins B1, B2, B6, proteins, and calorie content of the diet was based on the average of the 4-day dietary recalls. To assess nutritional status of vitamin B1, B2, and B6, the activity coefficients (α) of erythrocyte transketolase (ETK), erythrocyte glutathione reductase (EGR), and erythrocyte aspartic aminotransferase (EAST) were estimated in blood hemolysates. The intake of the studied vitamins in the diet was statistically significantly lower in the female groups compared with the respective male groups. Deficiency of vitamin B6 in the diet was present more often in women than in men (in terms of the recommended dietary allowances [RDA]). Values of the activity coefficient αETK indicated that none of the groups in this study suffered the risk of vitamin B1 deficiency. The value of the activity coefficient αEGR indicated that the groups of women and men with low physical activity were more prone to vitamin B2 deficiency compared with the high physical activity groups. The risk of vitamin B6 deficiency (αEAST) in both male groups was higher than in both female groups. The obtained results do not allow for unequivocal determination of the impact of sex and the level of physical activity on intake and nutritional status of vitamin B1, B2, and B6. Independently of sex and the level of physical activity, the women and men consumed insufficient quantities of vitamins B1 and B6, although this was not always related to increased values of corresponding activity coefficients

The Effect of Wrestling Tournament on Immune and Endocrine Markers in Blood and Saliva of Male and Female Athletes

The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of one-day wrestling tournament on magnitude and direction of changes in selected immunological and endocrine status indices. The participants of the study were male (n = 12) and female (n = 13) wrestlers. The earlobe blood samples and unstimulated saliva were collected at three time points: in the morning before the competition (1), immediately after the last match (2) and in the next morning (3). Total protein, IgA and cortisol concentration and α-amylase activity in saliva, as well as concentration of cortisol and interleukin-6 in serum were measured. Significantly lower ratio of sIgA/protein and significantly higher levels of salivary and serum cortisol, interleukin-6, and α-amylase activity were observed at the second time point compared with the first and the third in both groups of athletes. Regardless of the examined time point, concentrations of serum and saliva markers were similar in female and male wrestlers. However, a tendency to lower sAA activity on the next morning after the tournament compared to basal activity of this enzyme was seen in both examined groups. In general, the changes of examined markers were short-lived, except for α-amylase activity, showing that tournament-wrestling matches had no sustained negative effects on endocrine and immunological body systems

The resting salivary antimicrobial proteins and cortisol concentration in wrestlers during 12-week training

Study aim: the aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of 12-week training on saliva immunoendocrine response in collegiate male and female wrestlers