High-Intensity Training and Salivary Immunoglobulin A Responses in Professional Top-Level Soccer Players: Effect of Training Intensity

Abstract

Owen, AL, Wong, DP, Dunlop, G, Groussard, C, Kebsi, W, Dellal, A, Morgans, R, and Zouhal, H. High-intensity training and salivary immunoglobulin A responses in professional top-level soccer players: Effect of training intensity. J Strength Cond Res 30(9): 2460-2469, 2016-This study aimed (a) to test the hypothesis that salivary immunoglobulin A (s-IgA) would vary with training intensity sessions (low-intensity [LI] vs. high-intensity sessions [HI]) during a traditional training program divided into 4 training periods and (b) to identify key variables (e.g., GPS data, rating of perceived exertion [RPE], and training duration), which could affect s-IgA. Saliva samples of 10 elite professional soccer players were collected (a) before the investigation started to establish the baseline level and (b) before and after each 4 training sessions (LI vs. HI). Training intensity was monitored as internal (through heart rate responses and RPE) and external (through GPS) loads. High-intensity sessions were associated with higher external load (GPS) and with higher RPE. Baseline and pretraining s-IgA did not differ between the 4 training sessions both for HI and LI. Post-training s-IgA were not different (in absolute value and in percentage of change) between HI and LI sessions at the first 3 periods. However, at the fourth period, s-IgA concentration for HI session was significantly lower (p ≤ 0.05) than the LI session. The percentage change between s-IgA post-training and s-IgA baseline concentrations differ significantly (p ≤ 0.05) between HI and LI training sessions. Significant correlations between s-IgA and training intensity were also noted. High-intensity soccer training sessions might cause a significant decrease in s-IgA values during the postexercise window as compared with LI sessions. This study encourages coaches to monitor s-IgA in routine, particularly during HI training periods, to take precautions to avoid upper respiratory tract infection in highly trained soccer players.

Salivary hormones and IgA in relation to physical performance in football

“…These results support a previous study by Mortatti et al (2012) reporting increased URIs reports accompanied by a decrease in salivary IgA levels during the Brazilian championship. Nevertheless, repeated activity with insufficient recovery, such as during heavy periods of training and competitions (Owen et al, 2014), appears to exacerbate the immune depression, which could lead to chronic depression of the immune function (Bishop & Gleeson, 2009;He et al, 2010). The results of this study encourage medical, strength and conditioning staff and ultimately footballers to take prophylactic as well as appropriate recovery strategies after matches to avoid sickness and decreased performance due to respiratory infections.…”

“…Physical performance in football has been shown to modify the hormone levels and immune function (Mallo & Navarro, 2008). Although blood collection has traditionally been used to detect hormonal and immune response to exercise (Meeusen et al, 2004;Urhausen, Gabriel, & Kindermann, 1995), recent studies have utilised saliva samples to assess these responses (Crewther, Cook, Lowe, Weatherby, & Gill, 2011;Moreira, Arsati, de Oliveira Lima Arsati, da Silva, & de Araujo, 2009;Moreira et al, 2014;Owen et al, 2014). Thus, salivary biomarkers have gained popularity in sports science research as they offer many advantages as compared to blood sampling.…”

“…Furthermore, it has been speculated that engaging in high training volume for prolonged periods of time may also cause decreases in IgA concentration, thus leaving the athletes susceptible to infections (Papacosta & Nassis, 2011). In fact, Owen et al (2014) have recently shown a reduction in the secretion of salivary IgA after the completion of high-intensity football training sessions. Interestingly, the authors of the former study found a relationship (r = -0.7) between the training volume (i.e.…”

Monitoring Salivary Immunoglobulin A Responses to Official and Simulated Matches In Elite Young Soccer Players

“…Results from these investigations may be considered somewhat inconclusive as some showed an increment in SIgA concentration after the assessed matches while others demonstrated neither change nor decrease in SIgA concentration. However, recently, Owen et al (2014) demonstrated a significant reduction in SIgA after completion of a high intensity training session when compared to a low intensity unit in a sample of 10 elite male professional soccer players. This result suggests that training intensity plays a key role in SIgA changes.…”

Effect of Moderate Exercise on Serum Interferon-Gamma and Interleukin-17 Levels in the Morphine Withdrawal Period

“…studies have revealed that an intensive workout causes different negative outcomes such as susceptibility to upper respiratory tract infections (12), the acute reduction of immunoglobulin (13), and decreased IFN-γ in peripheral blood (14). On the other hand, many other studies have indicated that moderate regular exercise can reduce the number of illness days (15), regulate the functions of Th1 and Th2 cells in viral clearance (16), increase the level of IFN-γ (17), reduce the level of IL-17 (18), and show anti-inflammatory effects (19).…”