Effects of consecutive days of resistance exercise on immune system

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the circulating numbers of immunological biomarkers 1) throughout, and 2) following three consecutive days of strenuous RE. Selected immunological biomarkers are white blood cells (WBCs), platelets, granulocytes and lymphocytes. Ten healthy, young men participated in this study. Participants performed strenuous RE and had their pre- and 15 minutes post- RE blood samples collected on sessions two, three and four, separated by ~ 23 hours rest-interval. Last blood sample was collected on session five, which is ~ 23 hours from session four. A significant main effect for time (ρ=.003) was found for WBCs, platelets, lymphocytes and eosinophils. No significant differences were found for main effect for day and interaction for all biomarkers. Following three consecutive days of RE, Pre 4 showed a significant decrease from Pre 1 for platelets (ρ=.023) and lymphocytes (ρ=.022). There were no significant differences between Pre 1 and Pre 4 for granulocytes and WBCs. The results demonstrated that RE induced transient acute changes in circulating WBCs, platelets, lymphocytes and eosinophils, and that three consecutive days of strenuous RE bouts entailed a carryover effect in circulating lymphocytes and platelets from the first to third RE bout in young and moderately resistance-trained men. This study put forward a novel insight to the existing literature and may have implications in the designing of resistance programs for young and healthy males. Future studies can look into the possible mechanisms regulating the inflammatory responses following consecutive days of RE.