Comparison of acute supplementation with whey, soy or carbohydrate on lymphocyte responses to resistance exercise

Abstract

Little is known about the effects of acute supplementation with soy (Soy), whey (WHEY) or carbohydrate (CHO) on lymphocyte subset responses to resistance exercise. We randomized untrained men and women (23.0 ± 3.2 yrs, 72.8 ± 13.0 kg, 26.3 ± 10.6 %fat) to supplement with WHEY (n = 19), Soy (n = 14) or CHO (n = 18) immediately after performing a squat exercise protocol (6 sets, 10 repetitions, 65% of 1RM, 2 min rest between sets). Changes in circulating lymphocyte (LY) counts prior to (Pre) and 15 and 60 min post exercise (PE) were assessed. Most lymphocyte subsets, except NK cells, showed a decrease below Pre at 60 min PE in all supplement groups. NK cells in the Soy group were elevated above Pre at 15 min PE. Soy demonstrated a smaller decrease below baseline for total CD3 T cells at 60 min PE, most likely the result of a smaller decrease in CD8 T cells at 60 PE in comparison to CHO. CD4 T cells although not different from Pre were more elevated in Soy than CHO at 15 min PE. These differences in the magnitude and temporal response patterns between supplement groups indicate that Soy may contain a component that attenuates the post‐exercise lymphopenia. Funded by the Dairy Research Institute.