Int J Sports Med 1991; 12(5): 498-500
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-1024722
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

The Effect of Exercise at Various Temperatures on Salivary Levels of Immunoglobulin A

T. J. Housh, G. O. Johnson, D. J. Housh, S. L. Evans, G. D. Tharp
  • Center for Youth Fitness and Sports Research, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
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Publication History

Publication Date:
14 March 2008 (online)

Abstract

The purpose of this investigation was to determine the effect of ambient temperature on the salivary immunoglobulin A (s-IgA) response to submaximal exercise. Nine adult males (x̄ age ± SD = 22 ± 2 yrs) volunteered to perform an incremental treadmill test to exhaustion for the determination of V̇O2max and three 30-minute treadmill runs at 80% V̇O2max in an environmental chamber at temperatures of approximately 6, 19 and 34 °C. Saliva samples were collected prior to each submaximal workbout as well as immediately and 1 hr post-exercise. A 2 within subjects factors (temperature, sample time) repeated measures ANOVA indicated no significant interaction or main effects for sampling time or temperature. The results of this study indicated that 30minutes of non-competitive exercise at temperatures rangig from 6 to 34 °C had no effect on s-IgA. These findings suggest that moderate intensity exercises at a wide range of ambient temperatures does not increase the susceptibility to upper respiratory infection by decreasing s-IgA.