Salivary Immunoglobulin A Secretion Rate During Peak Period Conditioning Regimens in Triathletes

Abstract

Matsumoto M, Satoh, K, Kushi, H, Hamuro, K, Sakurai, M, Saito, H, Tanaka, R, Saito, T, Kohda, N, and Hamada, K. Salivary immunoglobulin A secretion rate during peak period conditioning regimens in triathletes. J Strength Cond Res 35(5): 1389–1396, 2021—Triathletes often feel unwell during the conditioning period (peak period) leading up to a race. The aim of this study was to evaluate the factors relevant to the condition of athletes and their impact on mucosal immune responses and the salivary immunoglobulin A (IgA) secretion rate. This study recruited college student triathletes (33 men and 7 women) who participated in an Olympic distance race. For each subject, the salivary IgA rate was measured continuously for 1 month before the race (peak period). Data on physical activity during the peak period were calculated in metabolic equivalents, and the relationships between these factors and the salivary IgA secretion rate were evaluated. The average amount of physical activity was highest during the 2- to 3-week period before the race, at 744.7 ± 51.5 kcal expended per day. In subjects who, on average, expended more than 1,000 kcal·d−1 in physical activity between 12 and 14 days before the race, the salivary IgA secretion rate was significantly reduced compared with the value at 1 week before the race (p < 0.05). On the day before the race, a further reduction was observed (p < 0.1). The salivary IgA secretion rate was decreased by high-intensity exercise during the peak period in advance of a race; this was associated with a loss of optimal condition just before the race.

Salivary Diagnostic for Monitoring Strenuous Exercise—A Pilot Study in a Cohort of Male Ultramarathon Runners

“…The s-IgA reflects the mucosal immune status and its reduction after physical exercise was often discussed regarding the risk for upper respiratory tract infections in athletes [ 2 , 15 , 52 , 53 ]. Especially, high physical activity was associated with decreased s-IgA and increased incidences of infections [ 16 , 17 , 18 ]. In contrast, other researchers reported increased s-IgA levels after strenuous exercise [ 54 , 55 ].…”

“…For salivary IgA, a decrease was observed in response to strenuous exercise and over a longer period of strenuous exercise, such as a football league season [ 15 ]. This could lead to reduced mucosal immunity and a higher incidence of infections [ 16 , 17 , 18 ]. Thus, its monitoring was discussed to prevent infections [ 16 , 17 , 18 ].…”

“…This could lead to reduced mucosal immunity and a higher incidence of infections [ 16 , 17 , 18 ]. Thus, its monitoring was discussed to prevent infections [ 16 , 17 , 18 ]. Salivary α-amylase increased in response to exercise [ 19 , 20 ] and could sensitively reflect psychophysiological stress [ 21 ].…”

The effect of exercise during sport training on levels of salivary diagnostic markers

“…Changes in salivary secretion and composition and the alteration of the immune function that occur during intense physical activity, may lead to development of pathological changes. The occurrence of upper respiratory tract infections could be associated with systemic changes due to reduced immune response, as well as the lack of protective role of saliva in athletes due to reduced lubrication and IgA concentration [11,12]. By measuring the levels of certain biomarkers in saliva samples, it is also possible to monitor changes in other organs whose functions may be affected by the intense physical activity.…”