Changes of mucosal immunity and antioxidation activity in elite male Taiwanese taekwondo athletes associated with intensive training and rapid weight loss

Abstract

Our results demonstrated that mucosal immunity in elite male taekwondo athletes is modulated by exercise and rapid weight reduction during the training, competition and recovery period. Cumulative effects of prolonged intensive training and rapid weight reduction suppressed mucosal immunity. Furthermore, because of the "open window" of impaired immunity during the precompetition period, the incidence of upper respiratory tract infection was significantly increased after the competition.

Salivary antioxidants of male athletes after aerobic exercise and garlic supplementation on: A randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled study

“…The results of this study were inconsistent with those reported by Faruk Ugras 36 and Tsai et al 37 who did not find significant increase in antioxidant activity after exercise. The inconsistency in results may be due to differences in the exercise protocol used in the mentioned study.…”

Relationships among salivary immunoglobulin A, lactoferrin and cortisol in basketball players during a basketball season

“…Experiment procedures for measuring total protein, sIgA, lactoferrin and cortisol concentrations were essentially the same as described in our previous work (Tsai et al 2009). Briefly, total protein concentration was measured using the Bio-RAD protein assay kit (Bio-RAD, Hercules, CA, USA).…”

“…Decreased secretion of sIgA may result in impaired immune responsiveness, and consequently, increased pathogen colonization and infection. For example, our previous work demonstrated that the upper respiratory tract infection of elite taekwondo athletes who had rapid weight changes during intense training and competition period were significantly increased due to suppressed mucosal immunity (Tsai et al 2009). Lactoferrin is one of the most abundant antimicrobial proteins and plays a key role in mucosal immunity against pathogen infection (Legrand et al 2004).…”

Authors’ Reply to Davis: “It is Time to Ban Rapid Weight Loss from Combat Sports”

“…However, instead of broadening the discussion with contrasting evidence, Dr Davis has chosen to criticise our choice of reference. To strengthen our argument, we wish to highlight a further seven studies which show impairment of selected parameters of immune function following RWL [20][21][22][23][24][25][26]. Furthermore, an increased incidence of upper respiratory tract infection due to RWL was reported in at least two studies [24,25], and confirmed by data from our own group which is currently under review.…”