Download PDF
Int J Sports Med 2001; 22(2): 132-137
DOI: 10.1055/s-2001-11347
Immunology

Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart ·New York

The Effect of Moderate Aerobic Exercise and Relaxation on Secretory Immunoglobulin A

M. R. Reid1 , P. D. Drummond1 , L. T. Mackinnon2
  • 1 School of Psychology, Murdoch University, Western Australia
  • 2 School of Human Movement Studies, The University of Queensland, Australia
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
31 December 2001 (online)

Also available at
    Permissions and Reprints

A deficiency in secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) is associated with recurrent upper respiratory tract infections both in the general community and in elite athletes. The aim of this paper was to investigate the effect of aerobic exercise and relaxation on various indices of sIgA in 12 male and 8 female adults who varied in levels of recreational activity. Salivary samples were obtained before, immediately after and 30 minutes after an incremental cycle ergometer test to fatigue, after 30 minutes of cycling at 30 % or 60 % of maximum heart rate, and after 30 minutes of relaxation with guided imagery. Each session was run on a separate day. When expressed in relation to changes in salivary flow rate, sIgA did not change after exercise. However, both the absolute concentration and secretion rate of sIgA increased during relaxation (167 ± 179 μg · ml-1, p < 0.001; and 37 ± 71 μg · min-1, p < 0.05 respectively). Nonspecific protein increased more than sIgA during incremental exercise to fatigue (decrease in the sIgA/protein ratio 92 ± 181 μg · mg protein-1, p < 0.05), but sIgA relative to protein did not change during relaxation. Our findings suggest that sIgA secretion rate is a more appropriate measure of sIgA than sIgA relative to protein, both for exercise and relaxation. These data suggest the possibility of using relaxation to counteract the negative effects of intense exercise on sIgA levels.

Key words:

Exercise, relaxation, immunoglobulin A, saliva.

References

  • 01 Ammann A, Hong R. Selective IgA deficiency: presentation of 30 cases and a review of the literature.  Medicine. 1971;  50 223-236
    Google Scholar
  • 02 Biddle S JH. Exercise psychology.  Sport Science Review. 1995;  1 79-92
    Google Scholar
  • 03 Blannin A K, Robson J, Walsh N P, Clark A M, Glennon L, Gleeson M. The effect of exercising to exhaustion at different intensities on saliva immunoglobulin A, protein and electrolyte secretion.  Int J Sports Med. 1998;  19 547-552
    Google Scholar
  • 04 Cohen S, Tyrrell D AJ, Smith A P. Psychological stress and susceptibility to the common cold.  N Engl J Med. 1991;  325 606-612
    Google Scholar
  • 05 Dillon K M, Minchoff B, Baker K. Positive emotional states and enhancement of the immune system.  Int J Psychiatr Med. 1985;  15 13-17
    Google Scholar
  • 06 Dillon K M, Totten M C. Psychological factors, immunocompetence, and health of breast-feeding mothers and their infants.  J Genet Psychol. 1989;  150 155-162
    Google Scholar
  • 07 Gleeson M, McDonald A W, Cripps A W, Pyne D B, Clancy R L, Fricker P A. The effect on immunity of long term intensive training in elite swimmers.  Clin Exp Immunol. 1995;  102 210-216
    Google Scholar
  • 08 Green M L, Green R G, Santoro W. Daily relaxation modifies serum and salivary immunoglobulins and psychophysiologic symptom severity.  Biofeed Self Reg. 1988;  13 187-199
    Google Scholar
  • 09 Green R G, Green M L. Relaxation increases salivary immunoglobulin A.  Psychol Reports. 1987;  61 623-629
    Google Scholar
  • 10 Gregerson M B, Roberts I M, Amiri M M. Absorption and imagery locate immune response in the body.  Biofeed Self Reg. 1996;  21 149-165
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 11 Heath G W, Ford E S, Craven T E, Macera C A, Jackson K L, Pate R R. Exercise and the incidence of upper respiratory tract infections.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1991;  23 152-157
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 12 Hewson-Bower B, Drummond P D. Secretory immunoglobulin A increases during relaxation in children with and without recurrent upper respiratory tract infections.  Devel Behav Pediatr. 1996;  17 311-316
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 13 Housh T J, Johnson G O, Housh D J, Evans S L, Tharp G D. The effect of exercise at various temperatures on salivary levels of immunoglobulin A.  Int J Sports Med. 1991;  12 498-500
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 14 Janoski M L, Kugler J. Relaxation, imagery, and neuroimmunomodulation.  Ann NY Acad Sci. 1987;  496 722-730
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 15 Ljungberg G, Erikson T, Ekblom B, Birkhed D. Saliva and marathon running.  Scand J Med Sci Sports. 1997;  7 214-219
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 16 Mackinnon L T. Immunoglobulin, antibody, and exercise.  Exerc Immunol Rev. 1996;  2 1-35
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 17 Mackinnon L T, Chick T W, Van As A, Tomasi T B. Decreased secretory immunoglobulins following intense endurance exercise.  Sports Training Med Rehab. 1989;  1 209-218
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 18 Mackinnon L T, Ginn E, Seymour G J. Decreased salivary immunoglobulin A secretion rate after intense interval exercise in elite kayakers.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 1993;  67 180-184
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 19 Mackinnon L T, Hooper S. Mucosal (secretory) immune system responses to exercise of varying intensity and during overtraining.  Int J Sports Med. 1994;  15 S 179-S 183
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 20 Mackinnon L T, Jenkins D G. Decreased salivary immunoglobulins after intense interval exercise before and after training.  Med Sci Sports Exer. 1993;  25 678-683
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 21 Mazanec M B, Nedrud J G, Kaetzel C S, Lamm M E. A three-tiered view of the role of IgA in mucosal defence.  Immunol Today. 1993;  14 430-435
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 22 McDowell S L, Chaloa K, Housh T J, Tharp G D, Johnson G O. The effect of exercise intensity and duration on salivary immunoglobulin A.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 1991;  63 108-111
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 23 Nieman D C. Exercise, upper respiratory tract infection, and the immune system.  Med Sci Sports Exer. 1993;  26 128-139
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 24 Nieman D C, Johanssen L M, Lee J W, Arabatzis K. Infectious episodes in runners before and after the Los Angeles marathon.  J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 1990;  30 316-328
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 25 Olness K, Culbert T, Uden D. Self-regulation of salivary immunoglobulin A by children.  Pediatrics. 1989;  83 66-71
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 26 Peters E M, Bateman E D. Ultra marathon running and upper respiratory tract infections.  South Afr Med J. 1983;  64 582-584
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 27 Plante T G, Rodin J. Physical fitness and enhanced psychological health.  Curr Psychol Res Rev. 1990;  9 3-24
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 28 Pyne D B, Gleeson M. Effects of intensive exercise training on immunity in athletes.  Int J Sports Med. 1998;  19 S 183-S 194
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 29 Rider M S, Weldin C W. Imagery, improvisation and immunity.  Arts Psychother. 1990;  17 211-216
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 30 Rider M S, Achterberg J, Lawlis G F, Goven A, Toledo R, Butler J R. Effects of immune system imagery on secretory IgA.  Biofeed Self Reg. 1990;  15 317-333
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 31 Ring C, Carroll D, Willemsen G, Cooke J, Ferraro A, Drayson M. Secretory immunoglobulin A and cardiovascular activity during mental arithmetic and paced breathing.  Psychophysiol. 1999;  36 602-609
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 32 Stone A A, Cox D S, Valdimarsdottir H, Neale J M. Secretory IgA as a measure of immunocompetence.  J Human Stress. 1987;  13 136-140
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 33 Tharp G D. Basketball exercise and secretory immunoglobulin A.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 1991;  63 312-314
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 34 Tharp G D, Barnes M W. Reduction of saliva immunoglobulin levels by swim training.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 1990;  60 61-64
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 35 Tomasi T B, Trudeau F B, Czerwinski D, Erredge S. Immune parameters in athletes before and after strenuous exercise.  J Clin Immunol. 1982;  2 173-178
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 36 Walsh N P, Blannin A K, Clark A M, Cook L, Robson P J, Gleeson M. The effects of high-intensity intermittent exercise on saliva IgA, total protein and α-amylase.  J Sports Sci. 1999;  17 129-134
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 37 Willemsen G, Ring C, Carroll D, Evans P, Clow A, Hucklebridge F. Secretory immunoglobulin A and cardiovascular reactions to mental arithmetic and cold pressor.  Psychophysiol. 1998;  35 252-259
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 38 Winzer A, Ring C, Carroll D, Willemsen G, Drayson M, Kendall M. Secretory immunoglobulin A and cardiovascular reactions to mental arithmetic, cold pressor, and exercise: effects of beta-adrenergic blockade.  Psychophysiol. 1999;  36 591-601
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar

Dr. P. D. Drummond

School of PsychologyMurdoch University, 6150

Western Australia

Phone: Phone:+ 61 (8) 93602415

Fax: Fax:+ 61 (8) 93606492

Email: E-mail:drummond@central.murdoch.edu.au