Acute effects of high- and low-intensity exercise bouts on leukocyte counts

• Published in: Journal of exercise science and fitness Vol. 13; no. 1; pp. 24 - 28
• Main Authors: Neves, Pedro Rogério Da Silva, Tenório, Thiago Ricardo Dos Santos, Lins, Tatiana Acioli, Muniz, Maria Tereza Cartaxo, Pithon-Curi, Tânia Cristina, Botero, João Paulo, Do Prado, Wagner Luiz
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Singapore Elsevier (Singapore) Pte Ltd 01.06.2015; The Society of Chinese Scholars on Exercise Physiology and Fitness; Elsevier
• Subjects: Aerobic exercise; Immune system; Inflammatory response; Original; Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation; Sports Medicine; White blood cell; Inflammatory response; White blood cell; Aerobic exercise; Immune system
• ISSN: 1728-869X; 2226-5104
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jesf.2014.11.003

Abstract Background/Objective It is widely accepted that physical exercise may bring about changes in the immune system. Even acute bouts of exercise can alter the number and function of leukocytes, but the degree of white blood cell trafficking depends on the intensity and duration of exercise. The aim of this study was to analyze the acute and short-term effects of exercise intensity on leukocyte counts and leukocyte subsets. Methods Nine physically healthy, active young males (21.0 ± 1.9 years) underwent three experimental trials: high exercise intensity [80% peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak )], low exercise intensity (40% VO2peak ), and the control condition (no exercise). Blood samples were collected prior to exercise, immediately after exercise, and 2 hours after exercise. Two-way analysis of variance for repeated measures was used to evaluate differences between the trials and the time-points, and to compare times within trials. Results There was a greater increase in the leukocyte count after high-intensity exercise, compared to the control condition ( p  < 0.01) and low-intensity exercise ( p  < 0.01). This effect was still present 2 hours after passive recovery ( p  < 0.01). Conclusion When the same participants were submitted to different exercise intensities, the acute and short-term effects of exercise on white blood cells were intensity-dependent immediately after exercise (i.e., lymphocytosis and monocytosis) and 2 hours after passive recovery (i.e., neutrophilia).