Effect of spirulina supplementation on selected components of Th1/Th2 balance in rowers

Figures & data

Table 1. Basic characteristics of the study groups (mean ± standard deviation).

Parameters	Supplemented group (n = 10)	Control group (n = 9)
Age (years)	20.4 ± 0.84	20.0 ± 0.71
Body weight (kg)	84.4 ± 8.43	87.1 ± 5.80
Body height (cm)	192.3 ± 4.32	190.8 ± 3.89
Duration of training (years)	7.3 ± 1.3	6.8 ± 1.8

P: n.s. for all intergroup comparisons.

Table 2. Changes in 2000-m rowing ergometer performance prior to and after supplementation.

Parameters	Supplemented group (n = 10)		Control group (n = 9)
	Before	After	Before	After
Power (Watt) (W/kg)	425 ± 30.89 5.05 ± 0.35	425 ± 28.98 5.09 ± 0.29	409 ± 26.8 4.71 ± 0.41	414 ± 34.24 5.10 ± 0.27
LAmin (mmol/L)^a	1.8 ± 0.23	1.9 ± 0.27	1.7 ± 0.23	1.7 ± 0.34
LAmax (mmol/L)^a	13.8 ± 1.96	10.7 ± 1.87	13.6 ± 2.11	10.2 ± 3.34
Time (s)	375.2 ± 9.43	374.4 ± 8.63	379.6 ± 8.35	378.1 ± 10.45

Notes: Values represent mean ± standard deviation.

^aLA: lactic acid. No statistically significant differences were found between pre- and post-supplementation values (P < .05).

Figure 1. Changes in IL-2 (A), IL-4 (B), IL-10 (C) and IFN-gamma (D) levels during exercise tests performed prior to and after the supplementation (mean ± SD).

Note. IL: interleukins; INF γ: interferon gamma; • SUPPL: supplemented group; □ – PLA: placebo group; B: baseline; Ex: post-exercise; R: after a 1-day recovery; †: significantly different compared to the baseline level; #: significantly different compared to the post-exercise level.

Figure 2. IL-2/IL-4 (A), IL-2/IL-10 (B), IFN-gamma/IL-4 (C) and IFN-gamma/IL-10 (D) ratios during exercise tests performed before and after the supplementation (mean ± SD).

Note. IL: interleukins; INF γ: interferon gamma; • SUPPL: supplemented group; □ – PLA: placebo group; B: baseline; Ex: post-exercise; R: after a 1-day recovery; †: significantly different compared to the baseline level; #: significantly different compared to the post-exercise level.

Figure 3. TAC levels during exercise tests performed prior to and after the supplementation (mean ± SD).

Note. TAC: total antioxidants status; • – SUPPL: supplemented group; □: PLA = placebo group; B = baseline; Ex = post-exercise; R = after a 1-day recovery; † – significantly different compared to the baseline level; # - significantly different compared to the post-exercise level.

Table 3. Training schedule for the week preceding blood sampling during the 1st and the 2nd examination.

	Days before the 1st examination
	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
Total training time, min/day	120	150	200	190	210	140	120
Time rowed, min/day	110	100	100	100	70	90	100
Distance rowed, km/day	22	20	20	20	16	18	20
Training for force development, min/day	–	–	90	–	70	–	–
Extensive endurance rowing training time, min/day	70	100	100	60	40	90	100
High intensity endurance rowing training time, min/day	40	–	–	40	30	–	–
Unspecific training (running, etc.), min/day	10	50	10	90	70	50	20
	Days before the 2nd examination
	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
Total training time, min/day	110	120	100	160	200	120	130
Time rowed, min/day	100	100	90	90	120	100	120
Distance rowed, km/day	20	18	18	18	20	20	20
Training for force development, min/day	–	–	–	60	60	–	–
Extensive endurance rowing training time, min/day	80	70	90	90	94	80	125
High intensity endurance rowing training time, min/day	6	9	–	–	12	20	5
Very high intensity endurance rowing training time, min/day	14	21	–	–	14	–	–
Unspecific training (running, etc.), min/day	10	20	20	10	20	20	10