EFFECT OF ADAPTATION TRAINING ON THE IMMUNE SYSTEM

Abstract

Studies have demonstrated that exercise induces considerable physiological changes including the immune system. The interaction between exercise stress and the immune system provides a unique opportunity to evaluate the role of underlying stress and immuno-physiological mechanisms. The purpose of the study was to examine the effect of adaptation exercise on innate, acquired, and humoral immunity following one bout of exhaustive exercise. A training group participated in an 8-week endurance training program, while the control group did not. Blood samplings of the two groups' members were obtained before and after performing the Bruce protocol test, before and following the 8-week period. Data was analyzed using the ANOVA test. There were no significant changes in cytokines and IgA concentrations, but the levels of CD4 decreased and those of CD8 increased significantly in the training group. It was concluded that endurance training may induce changes in lymphocyte subsets, but immune function was not suppressed following an exhaustive bout of exercise.