The effect of intense physical activity session with glutamine supplementation on selected factors of wrestlers' immune system

Abstract

Athletes with heavy training loads are prone to infectious diseases. It has been shown that these exercises may suppress immune function. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of one session of intense physical activity with glutamine supplementation on selected factors of wrestlers' immune system. For this purpose, 20 wrestlers were selected and randomly divided into two groups of supplement and placebo. The first blood sample was taken from the subjects. Then they did the Bruce test. Immediately after the end of the test, blood samples were taken from the subjects for the second time and then to the supplement group. The glutamine supplement was given the same amount of maltodextrin per kilogram of body weight and the placebo group. Blood samples were taken from the subjects for the third and fourth time 1 and 2.5 hours after taking the supplement or placebo. After measuring blood factors, the findings were statistically analyzed (ANOVA) at a significance level of p <0.05. The results showed that the percentage of neutrophils in the supplement group increased significantly 2.5 hours after supplementation compared to immediately after exercise and 1 hour after supplementation. This increase was less in the supplement group than in the placebo group. The percentage of lymphocytes in the supplement group decreased significantly 2.5 hours after supplementation compared to the pre-test, immediately after exercise and 1 hour after supplementation, which was less in the supplement group than the placebo group. The percentage of monocytes in the supplement group increased significantly 2.5 hours after supplementation compared to immediately after exercise. This increase was less in the supplement group than in the placebo group. The results of this study showed that glutamine supplementation during strenuous exercise has beneficial effects on the immune system of athletes.

The Combined Effect of Glutamine and Creatine Supplementation on Body Hydration Level and Some Performance Parameters in Football Players

“…This result is surprising because glutamine provides protein balance in the organism, plays a cell regulatory role, and enhances immune function (Shah et al, 2020). It may improve muscle function by alleviating the local inflammatory response to muscle pain that occurs after eccentric contractions, especially in resistance exercises (Paulsen et al, 2010;Mohammad et al, 2021). Furthermore, the reduction in symptoms of muscle damage due to glutamine supplementation may be attributed to various factors including increased availability of amino acids, additional energy intake from supplementation, and elevated protein synthesis.…”

“…The potential benefits of a combination of glutamine and creatine supplements have emerged as an intriguing area for investigation in recent years. This interest is based on the contributions of glutamine to muscle development and recovery and the capacity of creatine to enhance muscle function by increasing strength and energy levels during exercise (Mohammad et al, 2021;Vargas-Molina et al, 2022). Some studies have purported that the consumption of glutamine and creatine can augment anabolic signaling and promote the growth of muscle mass and performance enhancement, especially in strength or power athletes, through stimulation at the cellular level (Burke et al, 2023;Jaramillo et al, 2023;Newsholme et al, 2023;Lu et al, 2024).…”