Peripheral Immune Response to Marine Corps Martial Arts Training

Abstract

This study measured changes in the profile of circulating immune cells and stress proteins following an acute bout of U.S. Marine Corps Martial Arts training. Seven male Marines participated in this study. Blood samples were collected prior to the start of training (baseline) and during recovery at 0-, 15-, and 60-min post. Blood measures include cortisol, catecholamines, CBC (with differential), lymphocyte subsets, T helper cell cytokines GM-CSF, IFN-γ, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, IL-9, IL-10, IL-13, IL-17a and TNF-α, IgG, IgM, and serum creatine kinase. Data was analyzed using rm-ANOVA with Bonferroni corrections (p<0.05). Total catecholamines were significantly elevated at 0-min and remained elevated at 60-min. Total white blood cell counts and neutrophils were significantly elevated at 0- and 15-min returning to baseline values by 60-min. IgG was significantly elevated at 0- and returned to baseline at 15-min. CD3+ and CD4+ cell counts both had non-significant elevations at 0-min but were significantly lower at 15- and 60-min compared to baseline. Total lymphocytes and CD19+ cells were significantly lower at 60-min than baseline. There were no significant differences in cytokine responses. We conclude the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program is able to induce a significant alteration in the distribution of lymphocyte subsets in the peripheral circulation following a training bout but does not shift the balance of Th1/Th2 cytokines or induce a systemic inflammatory response. Supported by a grant through the Office of Naval Research.