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Journal article
A comparison of cytokine responses during prolonged cycling in normal and hot environmental conditions
Open Access Journal of Sports Medicine, Vol.2, pp.7-11
2
2011
PMCID: PMC3781876
PMID: 24198564
Web of Science ID: WOS:000213816400002
Abstract
Purpose: Components of immune function are affected by physical activity in an adverse environment. The purpose of this study was to compare plasma differences in inflammatory cytokines including tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and interleukin 6 (IL-6), in addition to the stress hormone cortisol, during prolonged cycling under normal and hot environmental conditions in elite cyclists.
Methods and design: Six trained elite male cyclists (27 ± 8 years; 75.5 ± 4 kg; maximum oxygen uptake [VO₂ₘₔₓ] = 66 ± 6 mL/kg/min, mean ± SD). The cyclists biked for 2.5 h at their prescribed 60% maximum exercise workload (Wₘₔₓ) or 75% VO₂ₘₔₓ either in an environmental chamber set at 15°C and 40% relative humidity (NEUTRAL) or at 35°C and 40% relative humidity (HOT). The cyclists were given 4 mL of water/kg body weight every 15 min under both conditions.
Results: Total cortisol concentrations were elevated (P , 0.05) immediately postexercise and 12 h postexercise in both the NEUTRAL and HOT conditions. TNF-α concentrations were only significantly (P = 0.045) elevated postexercise in HOT conditions. During the HOT conditions, a significant (P = 0.006 and 0.007, respectively) difference in IL-6 was seen immediately after and 12 h postexercise. During the NEUTRAL condition, IL-6 was only significantly elevated postexercise (P , 0.05).
Conclusions: Heat exposure during a long bout of exercise is sufficient to elicit stress response in elite cyclists. However, the degree of release of anti-inflammatory and proinflammatory cytokines might be related to several factors that include the athlete’s fitness level, hydration
status, exercise intensity, and length of exposure to hot environments.
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- Title
- A comparison of cytokine responses during prolonged cycling in normal and hot environmental conditions
- Publication Details
- Open Access Journal of Sports Medicine, Vol.2, pp.7-11
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Series
- 2
- Copyright
- 2011 Cosio-Lima et al, publisher and licensee Dove Medical Press Ltd. This is an Open Access article which permits unrestricted noncommercial use, provided the original work is properly cited.
- Identifiers
- WOS:000213816400002; 99380090648506600
- Academic Unit
- Movement Sciences and Health; Usha Kundu, MD College of Health
- Language
- English