Effects of a 10 km race on physiological and immunological responses

Authors

Albená Nunes Silva Mr., Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais - Instituto de Ensino e Pesquisa (SCM-BH)Follow
Janaina Matos Moreira, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG)Follow
Leandro Ceotto Freitas Lima, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG)Follow
Elisa Couto Gomes, Edinburgh Napier UniversityFollow
Pedro H. B. Rodrigues, Instituto de Ensino e Pesquisa (IEP-SCM)Follow
José Augusto Nogueira Machado, Instituto de Ensino e Pesquisa (IEP-SCM)Follow

Abstract

Introduction: The number of 10 km running races has been increasing in Brazil and the number of finishers almost triplicated in the last decade. However, there is limited amount of data showing the relationship between this event and the immune system response. Aim: Investigate the effects of a 10 km running race on physiological and immunological response in healthy well trained male volunteers. Methods: Fourteen male participants (32,21 ± 10,24 years old, 78,80 ± 9,30 kg) took part in this study. Ratings of perceived exertion (RPE), visual analog scale (VAS), heart rate (HR) and blood samples were taken before, immediately and 24 hours after the race. Lactate, glucose, creatine kinase (CK) and C-reactive protein (CRP), as well as leukocyte number and subpopulation of T cell (CD4⁺ and CD8⁺) were analyzed. Results: Participants completed this race in 49,85 ± 7,04 min. There was a significant increase post-race compared to pre-race for HR (67 ± 9 to 159 ± 21 bpm), RPE (6 ± 0 to 15 ± 2) and lactate (3.6 to 6.6 mmol/dL). Glucose levels did not present any significant changes. CK level did not change immediately after the race, but was higher (131,21 ± 62,50 to 286,85 ± 234,35 U/L ) at the 24 h post-race time point. CRP was lower at 24 h (8,37 ± 2,23 to 4,50 ± 2,28 mg/dL). VAS values changed from 0 (before) to 5,64 ± 2,20 (immediately after) to 2,21 ± 2,86 (24 hours). The number of circulating leukocyte (5,83 ± 0,89 to 9,15 ± 1,77 10³/µL), neutrophil (2,96 ± 0,49 to 4,34 ± 0,73 10³/µL), lymphocyte (2,21 ± 0,57 to 3,92 ± 1,27 10³/µL), monocyte (0,46 ± 0,10 to 0,64 ± 0,23 10³/µL) and basophil (0,05 ± 0,02 to 0,09 ± 0,03 10³/µL) increased significantly immediately after the race, returning to the basal level in 24 h. There was no difference in circulating eosinophils number. The absolute number of CD4⁺ (828,5 ± 215,8 to 1063,2 ± 235,3 cell/µL) and CD8⁺ (766,92 ± 347,79 to 1470,30 ± 782,90 cell/µL) also increased immediately after the race returning to basal in 24 h. Significant reduction of the CD4⁺/CD8⁺ lymphocyte subpopulation ratio (1,21 ± 0,45 to 0,85 ± 0,33 cell/µL) was observed post-race returning to basal level at 24 h post-race. Results are presented as mean ± SD. (p<0,0001). Conclusion: These results suggest that a 10 km running race is an intense physical activity and induces physiological changes. In addition, intense running provokes a significantly, although transient, modulation of the immune system, specifically of leukocyte sub-population.

Recommended Citation

Silva, Albená Nunes Mr.; Moreira, Janaina Matos; Lima, Leandro Ceotto Freitas; Gomes, Elisa Couto; Rodrigues, Pedro H. B.; and Machado, José Augusto Nogueira (2013) "Effects of a 10 km race on physiological and immunological responses," International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings: Vol. 10: Iss. 1, Article 4.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijesab/vol10/iss1/4