Resistance exercise on two consecutive days induces cortisol, CK, IgA responses in active young males

Abstract

Background

Reduction in recovery time may prevent physiological variables from returning to pre exercise levels; therefore, it is likely that the athletes will have a decrease in immune response and experience increased stress. The purpose of the current study was to examine whether two consecutive or non-consecutive days of circuit resistance exercise (CRE) on cortisol, creatine kinase (CK) and immunoglobulin A (IgA) responses in active young men.

Methods

Ten healthy male university students (22.25 ± 1.61 years) performed two consecutive days of circuit resistance exercise (TCD-CRE) and two non-consecutive days of circuit resistance exercise (TNCD-CRE). Participants performed CRE at 75% of their one-repetition maximum (1RM). Blood and saliva samples were taken during baseline and immediately after exercise and analyzed for serum CK activity and salivary concentrations of cortisol and IgA.

Results

Based on the results, there were significant increases in cortisol and CK at post as compared with pre in the TCD-CRE group (P ˂ 0.001, P = 0.001). Also, a significant increase in cortisol at post as compared with pre in the TNCD-CRE group was observed (P ˂ 0.001). Additionally, the level of IgA was significantly reduced post exercise when compared to pre value in the TCD-CRE group (P = 0.011). On the contrary, there were no significant changes in concentrations of IgA and CK activity in the TNCD-CRE group (P = 0.11, P = 0.24). Moreover, there were statistically significant differences in cortisol and CK between the groups (P = 0.001, P = 0.002).

Conclusion

Based on these data, TCD-CRE causes more immunological responses, and thus may lead to trauma. It seems that there is a need for a 48-h recovery between exercise sessions to prevent the decrease in immune function by CRE.