TRAINING LOAD, IMMUNE SYSTEM, UPPER RESPIRATORY SYMPTOMS AND PERFORMANCE IN WELL-TRAINED CYCLISTS THROUGHOUT A COMPETITIVE SEASON
Journal Title: Biology of Sport - Year 2013, Vol 30, Issue 4
Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the leukocyte subset counts, serum immunoglobulin A, performance and upper respiratory symptoms (URS), as well as their interrelationships, of well-trained cyclists for a 29-week training season using monitored loads. The season was divided into three phases: preparatory (nine weeks), first competitive phase (nine weeks) and second competitive phase (11 weeks). The sample consisted of eight well-trained cyclists, aged 18 ± 2 years. Immunological parameters and performance were evaluated during weeks 1 (baseline), 10 (early first competitive phase), 19 (early second competitive phase) and 29 (end of the second competitive phase). The training loads (volume x rating of perceived exertion) were monitored daily while the monitoring of URS was performed every 15 days using the WURSS-44 questionnaire. The data were analyzed using a one-way ANOVA and a Pearson correlation test with the significance level set at p ≤ 0.05. No significant differences were found for training load, leukocyte subset counts or serum immunoglobulin A among the three phases. However, serum immunoglobulin A was 50.9% below the control group values. URS were significantly higher during the preparatory period, and there were significant correlations between URS and training load (strain) in the preparatory period (r = 0.72, p = 0.032) and second competitive phase (r = 0.73, p = 0.036). In conclusion, indicators of training load without a significant change throughout the season did not significantly affect immune parameters measured; however, the increase of strain can cause an increase of upper respiratory symptoms throughout the season, but without loss of performance.
Authors and Affiliations
Homero Ferrari, Claudio Gobatto, Fulvia Manchado-Gobatto
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP59178
- DOI -
- Views 70
- Downloads 0
THE COMPETITIVE DEMANDS OF ELITE MALE RINK HOCKEY
The aim of this study was to simulate the activity pattern of rink hockey by designing a specific skate test (ST) to study the energy expenditure and metabolic responses to this intermittent high-intensity exercise and...
THE ROLE OF AEROBIC CAPACITY IN HIGH-INTENSITY INTERMITTENT EFFORTS IN ICE-HOCKEY
The primary objective of this study was to determine a relationship between aerobic capacity ( ·VO2max) and fatigue from high-intensity skating in elite male hockey players. The subjects were twenty-four male members of...
ACUTE EFFECTS OF A RESISTED DYNAMIC WARM-UP PROTOCOL ON JUMPING PERFORMANCE
This study aimed to investigate the kinematic and kinetic changes when resistance is applied in horizontal and vertical directions, produced by using different percentages of body weight, caused by jumping movements duri...
Influence of a monitored aerobic training and a low-energy diet on serum leptin concentration in obese women
The study focused on the influence of a 9-week monitored energy deficit on serum leptin level in 16 obese women. Additionally, measurements of body components and total cholesterol (CHO), HDL cholesterol (HDL) and triacy...
Variability in swimmers’ individual kinematics parameters versus training loads
The aim of the study was to investigate individual relationships between the training loads and kinematics parameters in macro cycle period of the swimmers’ training program. Two experienced butterfly swimmers: male (age...