It is important to measure immunological variables in athletes from time to time because of their direct impact on performance.
Hello Wasan Saeed Rasheed
Yes, although elite athletes are not clinically immune deficient, it is possible that the combined effects of small changes in several immune parameters may compromise resistance to common minor illnesses, such as upper respiratory tract infection.
Many studies have reported that various immune cell functions are temporarily impaired following acute bouts of prolonged, continuous heavy exercise, and athletes engaged in intensive periods of endurance training appear to be more susceptible to minor infections. For instance, according to some surveys, sore throats and flu-like symptoms are more common in athletes than in the general population, and, once infected, colds may last longer in athletes.
The circulating numbers and functional capacities of leukocytes may be decreased by repeated bouts of intense, prolonged exercise. The reason is probably related to increased levels of stress hormones during exercise and entry into the circulation of less mature leukocytes from the bone marrow.
During exercise, there is an increased production of reactive oxygen species, and some immune cell functions can be impaired by an excess of free radicals. During exercise, exposure to airborne pathogens is increased due to the higher rate and depth of breathing. An increase in gut permeability may also allow increased entry of gut bacterial endotoxins into the circulation, particularly during prolonged exercise in the heat.
Hence the cause of increased incidence of infection in athletes is likely to be multifactorial: a variety of stressors (physical, psychological, or environmental, nutritional) can suppress immune function, and these effects, together with increased exposure to pathogens, can make the athlete more susceptible to infection.
So, the parameters that may modulate immune responses include nutritional status, changes in circulating levels of cytokines, the expression of adhesion molecules, changes in chemotaxis/mobility, and the generation of reactive species. However, many of these factors are closely interlinked. For example, the role of cytokines and adhesion molecules in modulating leucocyte mobility. Immune responses are also affected by other factors such as age, sex, biological rhythms, and lifestyle.
You may refer to the article attached below for more information.
Article Immune Function in Sport and Exercise
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cortisol, testosterona , Iga salivar, glutationa reduzida (GSH), glutationa peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT), proteína carbonilada (PC), substâncias reagentes ao ácido tiobarbitúrico (TBARS), atividade da enzima mieloperoxidase (MPO), metabólitos do óxido nítrico (NOx), proteína C reativa (PCR), spo², il-1b, nfkb, tnf-a
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