workload, salivary IgA and URTI episodes on two successive training weeks of different dynamics of Portuguese elite swimmers

Abstract

The repercussion of training workloads on the immunity system has been the subject of some research with a large number of papers monitoring the immunity status on cycles of accumulated training load. The suppression of immunity associated with low levels of salivary IgA (sIgA) seems to be related with intense training. On the other hand moderate exercise seems to induce higher values of sIgA. A relationship between Upper Respiratory Track of Infections (URTI) and low sIgA levels has also been reported. The aim of this study was to control the sIgA values of a group of elite Portuguese swimmers during two weeks of different training dynamic. The first week was an intensive microcycle with high workload while the second one was of relative recovery. This is a case study due to the small sample number (4 elite swimmers and 5 control coaches). For sIgA levels determination, saliva samples were taken daily before and after scheduled practices. Both the training load and the URTI episodes were recorded daily in a logbook. The overall sIgA values showed an inverse behaviour to that of the training load volume and intensity. It was observed that not all the swimmers obey to same pattern for daily sIgA levels. Two of them showed low levels before the training sessions and the other two exhibited low levels after. At the end of the recovery week all swimmers showed an increment on sIgA levels. The athlete with the lowest level of sIgA in the beginning on the first day of this study had the higher number of URTI episodes during the four weeks that were monitored while the swimmer with the higher level of sIgA had the lowest number of URTI episodes. In conclusion, sIgA levels seem to be influenced by training load. In all the cases studied a relationship between low sIgA levels and the predisposition to URTI episodes seems to occur. The daily levels of sIgA reveal an individual response that is probably based on the individual capacity of adaptation to training.