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Int J Sports Med 2003; 24(3): 212-216
DOI: 10.1055/s-2003-39094
Immunology
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Plasma Zinc and Immune Markers in Runners in Response to a Moderate Increase in Training Volume

J. M.  Peake1 , D. F.  Gerrard2 , J. F. T.  Griffin3
  • 1 School of Human Movement Studies, University of Queensland, QLD 4072, Australia
  • 2 School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
  • 3 Department of Microbiology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
Further Information

Publication History



Accepted after revision: September 10, 2002

Publication Date:
12 May 2003 (online)

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Abstract

Changes in plasma zinc concentration and markers of immune function were examined in a group of 10 male runners (n = 10) following a moderate increase in training over four weeks. Seven sedentary males acted as controls. Fasting blood samples were taken at rest, before (T0) and after (T4) four weeks of increased (+ 16 %) training and after two weeks of reduced (-31 %) training (T6). Blood was analysed for plasma zinc concentration, differential leucocyte counts, lymphocyte subpopulations and lymphocyte proliferation using incorporation of 3H-thymidine. The runners increased their training volume by 16 % over the four weeks. When compared with the nonathletes, the runners had lower concentrations of plasma zinc (p = 0.012), CD3+ (p = 0.042) and CD19+ lymphocytes (p = 0.010) over the four weeks. Lymphocyte proliferation in response to Concanavalin A stimulation was greater in the runners (p = 0.0090). Plasma zinc concentration and immune markers remained constant during the study. Plasma zinc concentration correlated with total leucocyte counts in the athletes at T6 (r = -0.72, p < 0.05) and with Pokeweed mitogen stimulation in the nonathletes at T6 (r = -0.92, p < 0.05). Therefore, athletes are unlikely to benefit from zinc supplementation during periods of moderately increased training volume.

Key words

Homeostasis - stress - overload training - immune competence - zinc status

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J. Peake

School of Human Movement Studies · University of Queensland

St Lucia · QLD 4072 · Australia ·

Phone: +61 7 3365-6983

Fax: +61 7 3365-6877

Email: jpeake@hms.uq.edu.au