Acta Medica Medianae (Dec 2009)
CHARACTERISTICS OF SYSTEMIC INFLAMMATORY MARKERS IN ATHLETES ON INTENSIVE PHYSICAL TRAINING PROGRAM
Abstract
Regular physical activity and good physical fitness are widely accepted as factors that reduce all-cause mortality and improve a number of health outcomes. The aim of thisstudy was to investigate the effects of intensive aerobic exercise training program on systemic inflammatory markers in young healthy athletes.The investigation involved fifteen healthy athletes with the aim to investigate the effect of intensive physical training program on inflammatory response, and systemic inflammatory markers. Mean age of athletes was 16–20 years. The training period lasted minimum six months. All athletes trained 3 times/week. Blood samples were taken from the antecubital vein, in the morning, immediately before training; post-exercise blood samples were taken 5–10 min immediately after the exercise session. Cardiovascular parameters, inflammatory markers and physical exercise-related symptoms were determined.Ten male and five female athletes with mean age 18.03±1.4 years were included in the investigation. There was not a significant difference in systolic blood pressure, but significant reduction of diastolic blood pressure and increasing of heart rate (p<0.05) were registered after completion of exercise. Significant increase in SE I and lukocyte count as well as neutrophile predomination were found after the exercise. The lymphocyte stake was significantly decreased after intensive training. The training-related symptoms were more frequent at the beginning of the training program. Breathlessness was experienced more frequently (36%) than wheezing (12%), cough (16%), weakness (16%) or chest tightness (12%) at the beginning of the program.Regular physical activity reduces the risk of cardiovascular and atherosclerotic diseases. The concentration of CRP during exercise training program is a useful marker for determination of athletes’ physical condition and their response to the training program intensity. Only well-balanced exercise training programs result in favorable effects on the immune system, which is manifested through reduction of inflammation, increased immune response and reduction of physical exercise-related symptoms.
