Changes In Salivary Immunoglobulin A During A Collegiate Wrestling Season

Abstract

Heavy exercise and energy restriction decrease several parameters of immune function, including salivary immunoglobulin A (IgA). These challenges to immune function are faced simultaneously by many wrestlers. PURPOSE: To test the hypothesis that salivary IgA levels will decrease throughout a college wrestling season, and that changes in salivary IgA will correspond to decreases in body mass and increases in training volume. METHODS: Resting saliva samples were obtained from 8 NCAA Division II male college wrestlers (W) and 5 non-athlete male controls (C) pre-, mid-, and at the peak of wrestling season. Samples were analyzed for IgA. Body mass and weekly exercise duration were also collected. Data were analyzed via 2×3 repeated measures ANOVA. Pearson correlations were used to test relationships between changes in IgA and body mass and exercise volume. Statistical significance was set at p≤0.05. RESULTS: Compared to pre- values, salivary IgA in W was 32% lower at mid-season and 52% lower at peak. In contrast, peak salivary IgA in C was 18% higher than pre-season. Repeated measures ANOVA found no significant time effect (p= 0.572) or group x time effect (p= 0.332) for IgA. Mean (± SEM) IgA levels for each time point are shown in the following table:TableOver the season, W reduced body mass more than C (group x time p = 0.008). Changes in body mass were unrelated to changes in IgA (r = 0.03). Wrestlers (14.5±4.71 h) reported a higher (p = 0.009) average weekly exercise duration than C (6.7±5.26 h), revealing a weak negative correlation (r = -0.31) between exercise duration and IgA. CONCLUSION: Greater exercise duration is related to reduced salivary IgA in wrestlers. However, losses in body mass do not appear to affect salivary IgA.