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Mortatti, AL, Oliveira, RSCd, Pinto, JCBdL, Galvão-Coelho, NL, Almeida, RN, Aoki, MS, and Moreira, A. A congested match schedule alters internal match load and affects salivary immunoglobulin A concentration in youth soccer players. J Strength Cond Res 36(6): 1655-1659, 2022-The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of a congested match schedule (CMS) undertaken after a tapering week, on internal match load (IML) and salivary immunoglobulin A (SIgA) concentration in 12 youth soccer players (16.6 ± 0.5 years; 175 ± 8 cm; 65 ± 8 kg) who performed 4 official matches within a 4-day period. Internal match load was determined using the session-rating of perceived exertion method and the competitive strain (CS) and monotony index (MI) were also determined. Saliva sampling was conducted, before the last training day of a tapering week (training) preceding the CMS, 60 minutes before the first match (match-1), and 22 hours after match 4 (postmatch 4). Salivary immunoglobulin A was analyzed by ELISA. The results of the analysis of variance with repeated measures showed a significant difference for IML across the matches (p0.001). A significant reduction in SIgA was observed from prematch 1 to postmatch 4 (p = 0.019). Regarding the change in SIgA (ΔSIgA), 58.3% of the players presented values equal/higher than the minimal detectable change. A large within-individual correlation was observed between ΔSIgA and MI and CS (r = 0.71 and r = 0.72: p0.01, respectively). The current findings suggest that youth players participating in a CMS may present a decrease in mucosal immunity function. In addition, data suggest that the MI and CS may be used as valuable markers for monitoring competition load during CMS in youth soccer players.

Matsumoto M, Satoh, K, Kushi, H, Hamuro, K, Sakurai, M, Saito, H, Tanaka, R, Saito, T, Kohda, N, and Hamada, K. Salivary immunoglobulin A secretion rate during peak period conditioning regimens in triathletes. J Strength Cond Res 35(5): 1389-1396, 2021-Triathletes often feel unwell during the conditioning period (peak period) leading up to a race. The aim of this study was to evaluate the factors relevant to the condition of athletes and their impact on mucosal immune responses and the salivary immunoglobulin A (IgA) secretion rate. This study recruited college student triathletes (33 men and 7 women) who participated in an Olympic distance race. For each subject, the salivary IgA rate was measured continuously for 1 month before the race (peak period). Data on physical activity during the peak period were calculated in metabolic equivalents, and the relationships between these factors and the salivary IgA secretion rate were evaluated. The average amount of physical activity was highest during the 2- to 3-week period before the race, at 744.7 ± 51.5 kcal expended per day. In subjects who, on average, expended more than 1,000 kcal·d-1 in physical activity between 12 and 14 days before the race, the salivary IgA secretion rate was significantly reduced compared with the value at 1 week before the race (p < 0.05). On the day before the race, a further reduction was observed (p < 0.1). The salivary IgA secretion rate was decreased by high-intensity exercise during the peak period in advance of a race; this was associated with a loss of optimal condition just before the race.

The aim of this study was to compare the salivary cortisol (sC) and the salivary immunoglobulin A (sIgA) responses to simulated and official Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) matches. Saliva samples were collected from 9 male BJJ athletes before (pre) and after (post) 2 simulated matches (SMs) and 2 official matches (OMs) performed during 2 different competitions. Salivary cortisol and sIgA concentrations (absolute concentration of sIgA [sIgAabs] and the secretion rate of sIgA [sIgArate]) were measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. For sC, there was an effect of condition (SM vs. OM) (p < 0.05) and a time effect (pre and post) (p < 0.05). The sC was lower during SMs as compared with that during OMs and lower at premeasurement when compared with postmeasurement. No changes were observed for sIgA measurements. In summary, both SMs and official BJJ matches can increase sC levels. Moreover, the higher sC resting levels, observed before OMs, suggest that psychological factors associated with high physical-physiological demands from official BJJ competitions maximize stress hormone responses. In addition, the present findings suggest that the acute effect of BJJ matches on mucosal immunity is minimal, and it seems unlikely that changes in cortisol play a major role in the alterations in sIgA levels in response to BJJ matches. The findings of this study suggest that the use of sC can provide valuable information for coaches regarding athletes' responses to competition. In addition, psychological strategies should be implemented before events, to improve the manner in which BJJ athletes cope with the stress inherent to official matches.

The aim of this study was to investigate the cumulative effects of intensive resistance training on salivary immunoglobulin A (SIgA) and cortisol responses in elite male weightlifters. Eleven elite male Taiwanese weightlifters were trained through 3 training stages before a national weightlifting competition, and this was followed by a 2-week recovery stage. Resting saliva samples were collected once in each of the 4 stages. Salivary concentrations of total protein (TP), SIgA, lactoferrin, and cortisol were measured. The results showed that (a) salivary TP concentrations were not significantly affected; (b) resting levels of SIgA, the ratio of SIgA to TP (SIgA/TP), cortisol, and the ratio of cortisol to TP (cortisol/TP) were significantly higher in the training stages than in the recovery stage; (c) a positive correlation was revealed between the ratios of SIgA/TP and cortisol/TP; and (d) the resting salivary lactoferrin concentrations and the ratio of lactoferrin to TP (lactoferrin/TP) were significantly lower in stage 1 than in the recovery stage. The findings in this study suggest that prolonged, intensive resistance training exerts cumulative effects on SIgA and cortisol responses in elite weightlifters.

Transient fluctuations in immune function after heavy exercise have been linked to an increased incidence of infection in athletes. Several parameters of immunity, including salivary immunoglobulin A (IgA), are affected by heavy exercise in the laboratory setting. However, few observations have been made during true competition. We tested the hypothesis that salivary IgA levels will be decreased after a collegiate rugby game. Saliva samples obtained from 16 men's college rugby players before and after an 80-minute regulation rugby game were analyzed for total volume, IgA, total protein content, and osmolality. Salivary IgA was expressed relative to secretion rate (s-IgA), osmolality (IgA-Osm), and total protein (IgA-Pro). No significant pregame-postgame changes in salivary IgA were observed (s-IgA: -13%, IgA-Osm: -16%, IgA-Pro: +10%). These data indicate that strenuous physical activity, such as a competitive rugby game, does not affect IgA levels. More study on the immune response to athletic competition is needed.

It has been suggested that several parameters of mucosal immunity, including salivary immunoglobulin A (s-IgA), are affected by heavy exercise either in field sports or in the laboratory environment. Few observations have been made during a true sporting environment, particularly in professional soccer. We tested the hypothesis that salivary IgA levels will be decreased after a 70-minute regulation in a top-level professional soccer friendly match. Saliva samples from 24 male professional soccer players collected before and after the match were analyzed. Salivary immunoglobulin A concentration was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and expressed as the absolute concentration (s-IgAabs), s-IgA relative to total protein concentration (IgA-Pro), and the secretion rate of IgA (s-IgArate). Rate of perceived exertion (RPE) was used to monitor the exercise intensity. The paired t-test showed no significant changes in s-IgAabs and s-IgArate (p > 0.05) from PRE to POST match. However, a significant (p < 0.05) increase in total protein concentration (1.46 +/- 0.4 to 2.00 +/- 07) and a decrease in IgA-Pro were observed. The best and most significant correlation was obtained with the RPE and changes in IgA-Pro (rs = -0.43) and could indicate that this expression may be an interesting marker of intensity in a soccer match. However, further investigation regarding exercise intensity, protein concentration, and immune suppression, particularly in team sports, is warranted. From a practical application, the variability of the responses among the players leads us to suggest that there is a need to individually analyze the results with team sports. Some athletes showed a decrease in s-IgA expressions, suggesting the need for taking protective actions to minimize contact with cold viruses or even reducing the training load.