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Int J Sports Med 2007; 28(7): 625-630
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-964856
Immunology

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Immune Changes: 2 h of Continuous vs. Intermittent Cycling

D. Nieman1 , D. Henson2 , G. Gojanovich2 , J. M. Davis3 , C. Dumke1 , A. Utter1 , A. Murphy3 , S. Pearce1 , S. McAnulty1 , 4 , L. McAnulty5
  • 1Department of HLES, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC, USA
  • 2Department of Biology, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC, USA
  • 3Department of Exercise Science, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA
  • 4Department of Health, Leisure, and Exercise Science, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC, USA
  • 5Department of Family and Consumer Sciences, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC, USA
Further Information

Publication History

accepted after revision June 27, 2006

Publication Date:
20 March 2007 (online)

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Abstract

Immune changes following 2 h of intensive cycling with or without rest intervals were measured in trained cyclists (n = 12) who functioned as their own controls during two test sessions that were separated by two weeks. Subjects cycled for 2.0 h at ∼ 64 % Wattsmax continuously (C) or with 3-min rest intervals (R) interspersed every 10 min (2.6 h total time), with the order of the sessions randomized. Blood samples were collected 30-min pre-exercise, and immediately and 1-h postexercise, and assayed for blood leukocyte subset counts, plasma IL-6, IL-10, IL-1ra, IL-8, PHA-induced lymphocyte proliferation, and natural killer cell activity (NKCA). Significant time effects were measured for all immune measures, but no significant differences in the pattern of change were found between C and R exercise trials. In conclusion, immune changes induced by 2 h of intense and prolonged exercise paralleled those measured when athletes rested 3 min every 10 min of exercise.

Key words

exercise - cytokines - lymphocytes - natural killer cell activity

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Dr. David Nieman

Appalachian State University
HLES

PO Box 32 071

28608 Boone, NC

United States

Email: niemandc@appstate.edu