Evaluation of menstrual cycle effects on mucosal immune function following intermittent exercise training

Abstract

Introduction: Evaluating how the menstrual cycle phase influences various aspects of immune responses is necessary to understand comprehensive human responses to mentally and physically stressful conditions in women. Although previous studies have argued effects of menstrual cycle phase on mucosal immune function, exercise-induced immunosuppression (e.g., upper respiratory tract infection: URTI) over follicular and luteal phases still remain unclear. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of menstrual cycle phases on the levels of salivary immunoglobulin A (S-IgA) and α-amylase in female basketball players.