Effects Of Acute Resistance Exercise On Leukocyte Subsets In Male Collegiate Ice Hockey Players

Abstract

PURPOSE: To determine the impact of an acute bout of resistance exercise (RE) on differential leukocytes among male collegiate ice hockey players. METHODS: Twelve resistance-trained male ice hockey players between 19–25 yr of age (21.67 + 1.67 yr) with at least 2 yr resistance training experience (2.42 + 0.79 yr) completed 2 different conditions on separate occasions in a randomized order. On one occasion, subjects performed a bout of RE for 27.32 min (+ 0.36). The RE included the back parallel squat and the leg press each at 45% & 55% of 1-RM for first 2 sets, and 65% of 1-RM for the remaining 3 sets. All exercises were performed with a 2:2 cadence followed by 1.5 min rest periods. The second occasion required subjects to serve as their own controls and remain seated for 2.5 hr. Following a 12 hr fast, blood samples were collected at rest, immediately following exercise, and at 2 hr postexercise and were analyzed for serum cortisol, -glucose, -CRP, plasma lactate, total leukocytes, neutrophils, monocytes, and lymphocytes. RESULTS: Plasma lactate increased significantly (p < 0.05) from baseline (1.66 + 0.49mmol/L) to (13.4 + 2.72 mmol/L) immediately after the RE. A significant (p < 0.05) total leukocyte difference was detected between the control (5.65 + 0.33 x 103μL) and (8.61 + 0.64 x 103μL) RE condition. There was a trend for increases (p <0.05) in total leukocytes, monocytes, & lymphocytes immediately postexercise and a significant (p < 0.05) increase in neutrophils at 2 hr postexercise. Lymphocyte numbers declined at 2 hr postexercise to below baseline values (2.65 + 0.55 x 103μL vs. 1.38 + 0.30 x 103μL, p < 0.05). There were no significant (p > 0.05) differences in serum glucose, -cortisol, or -CRP. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that an acute bout of RE induces leukocytosis, monocytosis, & lymphocytosis immediately postexercise, and neutrophilia and lymphocytopenia at 2 hr postexercise.