Acute and chronic effects of physical exercise on IgA and IgG levels and susceptibility to upper respiratory tract infections: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed at evaluating acute and chronic effects of physical exercise on IgA and IgG levels, as well as its relationship with the susceptibility to develop upper respiratory tract infections (URTI). This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted and reported in accordance with PRISMA statement. A systematic search of PubMed, Web of Science, and EMBASE was performed in July 2020. This systematic review and meta-analysis included studies in which participants performed acute exercise or chronic physical training and were subjected to analyses of URTI incidence and concentrations of IgA and IgG. The selected studies for systematic review were divided into the following three groups: (I) trials that evaluated the effects of acute exercise in sedentary subjects, (II) trials that evaluated the effects of acute exercise in athletes/trained individuals, and (III) trials that evaluated the effects of chronic physical training on the incidence of URTI, as well as on the levels of IgA and IgG. Acute exercise increases the IgA levels in trained subjects but does not affect its levels in untrained subjects. Such increase in IgA levels induced by acute exercise is greater in trained individual that performed ultramarathon. On the other hand, chronic physical training reduces IgA levels in both trained and untrained subjects, does not change IgA levels in non-military subjects, besides from not affecting IgG levels. The present systematic review and meta-analysis indicates that acute exercise positively influences IgA levels in trained individuals, being this effect pronounced when a strenuous exercise such as ultramarathon is executed. Chronic physical training, in turn, does not affect IgG levels. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00424-022-02760-1.

Use of Streptococcus salivarius K12 in supporting the mucosal immune function of active young subjects: A randomised double-blind study

“…Moreover, in adults with recurrent oral streptococcal pathology, 90 days of S. salivarius K12 administration reduced pharyngeal tonsillitis by about 80% throughout the study and by 60% in the six months following the use of the probiotic (18). Recent evidence suggests that the supply of S. salivarius K12 may also be effective against viral infections (40, 42,45,46), a finding which is also relevant in the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. URTIs are the most common illnesses affecting athletes and can cause absences from training and competition (10,11).…”

“…Several risk factors and biomarkers associated with increased URTI episodes have been identified (47). sIgA is the most studied immune parameter, and there is a strong negative correlation between the incidence of URTI and sIgA levels in athletes (46). Despite the consistent association between lower concentrations of sIgA and an increased incidence of URTI, the effect of high-intensity exercise on sIgA levels has shown conflicting results.…”

“…Some studies showed a transient decrease in sIgA up to 24 hours after strenuous training sessions or competitions (6, 46, 48-51), while others were unable to confirm such findings (52)(53)(54). A recent meta-analysis by Drummond and colleagues (46) demonstrated increased levels of sIgA after acute exercise, but only in trained subjects. In the present study, at the end of the 30 days training program, the sIgA level slightly increased in both the treated and control groups, although this improvement was greater in the S. salivarius K12 supplemented subjects.…”

Prepandemic Physical Activity and Risk of COVID-19 Diagnosis and Hospitalization in Older Adults

“…In the myofascial system, the immunological and neurological pathways interplay by promoting muscle-derived anti-inflammatory interleukin 6 (ie, myokine production), long-term reduction of proinflammatory mediators, and release of endocannabinoids . Physical activity increases levels of salivary IgA, an antibody known to protect against respiratory viruses . Still, the exact mechanisms by which PA and more specific components of PA (eg, frequency, duration, intensity, and type) affect these physiological pathways warrant further investigation …”

Plant-based diets benefit aerobic performance and do not compromise strength/power performance: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…The risk of bias assessment was performed by independent reviewers using an adaptation of the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) instrument (13)(14)(15)(16) . Discrepant assessments were resolved through discussion with an independent reviewer.…”