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Abstract
Background
The control of immunological alterations becomes important during in-season training, as a result of increased incidence of infectious diseases, and may assist in avoiding interruptions to training due to illness.
Objective
The aim of the present study was to evaluate 28 weeks of chronic immune modulations in female volleyball athletes.
Methods
The sample was composed of twelve athletes aged 19.47 ± 2.49 years, height 1.78 ± 0.08 cm, and body mass 66.77 ± 7.8 kg. Leukocytes, individual immune cell count, interleukin (IL)-2, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α plasma cytokines were measured during the competitive period.
Results
Results revealed that immune variables were correlated with symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections and training-load indicators, indicating a possible marker of immune status. There was a statistically significant increase in total leukocytes, neutrophils, and monocyte count, a decrease in lymphocytes, and an increase in upper respiratory tract infection symptoms, with no change in IL-2, IL-6, and TNF-α. Correlations between subjective levels of tiredness, total leukocyte count, and neutrophils with upper respiratory tract infection symptoms were observed.
Conclusion
In conclusion, these correlations can represent important tools to access the immune status of an athlete during long training periods, preventing a possible immunosuppressive status.
Keywords:
Acknowledgments
The authors thank CAPES/PROSUP, FAP/UNIMEP, and PIBIC/CNPq for financial support; nurse Juliana Custódio de Oliveira for availability in blood collections; Patrícia Carla Paulino Belotto and Ana Elci da Silva Lima Pessotti for providing laboratory and technical support; the technical commission and athletes of the APIV volleyball team; and James Navalta, PhD, for performing the English revision.
Disclosure
The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.