Immune Function in Adolescent Tennis Athletes and Controls

Abstract

Resting immune function and infection incidence were compared between 20 (10 male, 10 female) elite teenage tennis athletes and 18 (9 male, 9 female) non-athletic, age-matched controls. Male and female athletes trained an average of 17.6 ± 0.8 hours per week and possessed VO2max values that were 15% and 22% higher, respectively, than controls. NK cell counts were 53% higher (p = 0.015) and neutrophil counts were 16% lower (p = 0.030) in the athletes; however, salivary IgA output, serum/plasma concentration of IL-6, Il-1ra, cortisol, and growth hormone, PHA-induced lymphocyte proliferation and IL-2 production, and the incidence of upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) during 2.5 months did not differ between groups. These data suggest . Downloaded by [Athabasca University] at 17:22 11 June 2016 236 D. A. Henson et al.that despite intensive training by adolescent tennis athletes, immune function and URTI incidence are normal. The NK cell elevation is consistent with previous studies in athletes that show an enhanced recirculation and activity of NK cells.

Winter ambient training conditions are associated with increased bronchial hyperreactivity and with shifts in serum innate immunity proteins in young competitive speed skaters

“…Studies regarding inflammatory cytokines in regular exercisers bring varying results. Henson et al [ 25 ] found no significant difference between adolescent tennis players and controls in terms of serum/plasma IL-1RA and respiratory infections over 2.5 months. During the training season, no significant modifications in lymphocyte counts but a significant decrease in intracellular IL-2 and IL-4 production was described in Italian footballers [ 26 ].…”

Physical exercise, immune response, and susceptibility to infections—current knowledge and growing research areas

“…Henson et al have report no significant difference between adolescent tennis players and non-athletic controls in terms of serum/plasma IL-1ra and respiratory infections over 2.5 months. 20 During training season, a significant decrease in intracellular IL-2 and IL-4 production has been described in Italian footballers, 21 while lower plasma IL-1β, IL-18, IFNγ, and IL-1ra levels have been noted in Portuguese kayakers during the off-training season as compared to training season; this suggests that regular intensive exercise may have a beneficial anti-inflammatory effect. 22 In addition, significantly higher resting serum levels of periostin were noted in nine elite swimmers compared to ten asthmatic non-athletes and seven healthy subjects.…”

“…Studies on systemic inflammatory cytokines in regular exercisers report varying findings. Henson et al have report no significant difference between adolescent tennis players and non‐athletic controls in terms of serum/plasma IL‐1ra and respiratory infections over 2.5 months 20 . During training season, a significant decrease in intracellular IL‐2 and IL‐4 production has been described in Italian footballers, 21 while lower plasma IL‐1β, IL‐18, IFN‐γ, and IL‐1ra levels have been noted in Portuguese kayakers during the off‐training season as compared to training season; this suggests that regular intensive exercise may have a beneficial anti‐inflammatory effect 22 .…”

Exercise and Immune Function: Nutritional Influences

“…With runners, sickness rates following a competitive marathon race have been observed to be highest in those exhibiting the lowest salivary IgA levels (Nieman et al, 2001). In two other studies, however, variance in salivary IgA concentration was not related to a history of URTI incidence in elite female rowers or adolescent tennis athletes (Henson et al, 2000;Nehlsen-Cannarella et al, 2000). Thus the data are inconclusive, and research is needed with larger groups of athletes followed for longer periods of time to determine the usefulness of salivary IgA concentration in predicting URTI risk in athletes.…”