T-lymphocyte populations following a period of high volume training in female soccer players

F. F. Brown, A. B. Bigley, J. C. Ross, E. C. LaVoy, R. J. Simpson, S. D.R. Galloway

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

11 Scopus citations

Abstract

PurposeTo investigate the T-lymphocyte response to a period of increased training volume in trained females compared to habitual activity in female controls. MethodsThirteen trained female (19.8±1.9yrs) soccer players were monitored during a two-week long high volume training period (increased by 39%) and thirteen female untrained (20.5±2.2yrs) controls were monitored during two-weeks of habitual activity. Blood lymphocytes, collected at rest, were isolated before and after the two-week period. Isolated lymphocytes were assessed for the cell surface expression of the co-receptor CD28, a marker of T-lymphocyte naivety, and CD57 a marker used to identify highly-differentiated T-lymphocytes. Co-expression of these markers was identified on helper CD4+ and cytotoxic CD8+ T-lymphocytes. In addition a further population of γδ+ T-lymphocytes were identified. Plasma was used to determine Cytomegalovirus (CMV) serostatus. ResultsNo difference was observed in the T-lymphocyte populations following the two-week period of increased volume training. At baseline the number of total CD3+, cytotoxic CD8+, naïve (CD8+ CD28+ CD57-), intermediate (CD8+ CD28+ CD57+) T-lymphocytes and the number and proportion of γδ+ T-lymphocytes were greater in the trained compared to the untrained females (p<0.05). The proportion of CD4+T-lymphocytes was greater in the untrained compared to the trained (p<0.05), in turn the CD4+:CD8+ ratio was also greater in the untrained females (p<0.05). Inclusion of percentage body fat as a covariate removed the main effect of training status in all T-lymphocyte sub-populations, with the exception of the γδ+ T-lymphocyte population. 8% of the untrained group was defined as positive for CMV whereas 23% of the trained group was positive for CMV. However, CMV was not a significant covariate in the analysis of T-lymphocyte proportions. ConclusionThe period of high volume training had no effect on T-lymphocyte populations in trained females. However, baseline training status differences were evident between groups. This indicates that long-term exercise training, as opposed to short-term changes in exercise volume, appears to elicit discernible changes in the composition of the blood T-lymphocyte pool.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)175-181
Number of pages7
JournalPhysiology and Behavior
Volume152
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 1 2015
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • CD4 T-lymphocytes
  • CD8 T-lymphocytes
  • CMV infection
  • Diet
  • Trained
  • Untrained
  • γδ T-lymphocytes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Experimental and Cognitive Psychology
  • Behavioral Neuroscience

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