In:
Frontiers in Physiology, Frontiers Media SA, Vol. 12 ( 2021-12-17)
Abstract:
Background: Metabolic stress is high during training and competition of Olympic rowers, but there is a lack of biomedical markers allowing to quantify training load on the molecular level. We aimed to identify such markers applying a complex approach involving inflammatory and immunologic variables. Methods: Eleven international elite male rowers (age 22.7 ± 2.4 yrs.; VO 2 max 71 ± 5 ml·min −1 ·kg −1 ) of the German National Rowing team were monitored at competition phase (COMP) vs. preparation phase (PREP), representing high vs. low load. Perceived stress and recovery were assessed by a Recovery Stress Questionnaire for Athletes ( RESTQ-76 Sport ). Immune cell activation (dendritic cell (DC)/macrophage/monocytes/T-cells) was evaluated via fluorescent activated cell sorting. Cytokines, High-Mobility Group Protein B1 (HMGB1), cell-free DNA (cfDNA), creatine kinase (CK), uric acid (UA), and kynurenine (KYN) were measured in venous blood. Results: Rowers experienced more general stress and less recovery during COMP, but sports-related stress and recovery did not differ from PREP. During COMP, DC/macrophage/monocyte and T-regulatory cells (T reg -cell) increased ( p = 0.001 and 0.010). HMGB1 and cfDNA increased in most athletes during COMP ( p = 0.001 and 0.048), while CK, UA, and KYN remained unaltered ( p = 0.053, 0.304, and 0.211). Pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β ( p = 0.002), TNF-α ( p & lt; 0.001), and the chemokine IL-8 ( p = 0.001) were elevated during COMP, while anti-inflammatory Il-10 was lower ( p = 0.002). Conclusion: COMP resulted in an increase in biomarkers reflecting tissue damage, with plausible evidence of immune cell activation that appeared to be compensated by anti-inflammatory mechanisms, such as T reg -cell proliferation. We suggest an anti-inflammatory and immunological matrix approach to optimize training load quantification in elite athletes.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
1664-042X
DOI:
10.3389/fphys.2021.803863
DOI:
10.3389/fphys.2021.803863.s001
Language:
Unknown
Publisher:
Frontiers Media SA
Publication Date:
2021
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2564217-0
