Abstract
Inflammation-induced processes commence with the activation of signalling pathways at the cellular level, which mobilize inflammatory cells and stimulate the secretion of chemokines, cytokines, and damage-associated molecular pattern molecules (DAMPs). Physical effort stimulates inflammation, contributing to muscle repair and regeneration. We have examined the impact of different protocols of progressive-effort tests on T-cell DAMP levels, extracellular cleavage products (fibronectin and hyaluronan), and Th-cell-related cytokine levels among soccer players. Thirty male soccer players with a median age of 17 (16–22) years performed different defined protocols for progressive exercise until exhaustion: (1) YO-YO intermittent recovery test level 1 (YYRL1, n = 10); (2) maximal multistage 20 m shuttle run (Beep, n = 10); and mechanical treadmill (MT, n = 10); and (3) shuttle-run test (n = 10). Blood samples were taken three times as follows: at baseline, post effort, and in recovery. Significantly higher post-effort concentrations of IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, and IFN-γ were observed in the Beep group, IL-4 in the YYRL1 group, and IL-6 and IFN-γ in the MT group as compared with the baseline values. Recovery values were significantly higher for concentrations of IL-4, IL-10, and IFN-γ in the YYRL1 group, only for IFN-γ in the Beep group, and for IL-6, IL-10, and INF-γ in the MT group as compared with the baseline values. Post-effort concentrations of DEFβ2, Hsp27, Fn, and UA in the Beep group and Hsp27 and HA in the YYRL1 group were significantly higher as compared with the baseline values. It seems the performed efficiency test protocols caused a short-term imbalance in Th1/Th2 cytokine levels without giving common molecular patterns. The rapidity of these changes was apparently related to specific physical movements and the type of running surface.
Highlights
Stress and physical effort are factors that significantly affect the functioning of the nervous system, endocrine adrenal function, and modulation of the immune system [1,2,3,4,5,6]
No significant differences in baseline values of White blood cell (WBC), LYM, T cells, IL-4, IL-10, DEFβ2, Hsp27, Fn, and HA, as well as in post-effort/baseline ratios for IL-10, Trx, HA, HMG1, and UA, and in recovery/baseline ratios for IL-2, IL-6, DEFβ2, Hsp27, Trx, HA, HMG1, and UA were found among the YO-YO intermittent recovery test level 1 (YYRL1), Beep, and MT groups as assessed by the Kruskal–Wallis test (Tables 2–4)
The post-effort WBC counts and LYM percentages in the latter group were greater as compared with baseline values
Summary
Stress and physical effort are factors that significantly affect the functioning of the nervous system, endocrine adrenal function, and modulation of the immune system [1,2,3,4,5,6]. The immune response is critically affected by the type of physical effort, volume of training units, duration of the training program, training experience, diet, and other environmental factors, including the level of stress. The phenomenon of sterile inflammation, known to be a response to a psychological or a physical stressor, can be an important mechanism involved in post-effort immune modulation [9,10]. There are numerous immunological studies describing the molecular mechanisms of immune responses to different antigens and pathogens, the impact of intensive physical effort on DAMP levels and extracellular signalling molecules is not yet fully understood
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