Effect of glutamine supplementation on neutrophil function in male judoists.

Glutamine is an important amino acid for immune function. Though high intensity and prolonged exercise decreases plasma glutamine concentration and causes immune suppression, the relationship between neutrophil functions and glutamine has not yet been found. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impacts of glutamine supplementation on neutrophil function. Twenty-six male university judoists were recruited. Subjects were classified into glutamine and control groups. The glutamine group ingested 3000 mg of glutamine per day and the control group ingested placebo for 2 weeks. Examinations were performed at the start of preunified loading exercise (pre-ULE), then 1 and 2 weeks after ULE (post-ULE). Reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, phagocytic activity, serum opsonic activity and serum myogenic enzymes were measured. Differences between the levels obtained in pre-ULE and post-ULE for the two groups were compared. In the glutamine group, ROS production activity increased 1 week after ULE, whereas it was not observed in the control group (P < 0.001). Though myogenic enzymes increased significantly after ULE (P < 0.001), the glutamine group remained unchanged by supplementation during ULE. Glutamine supplementation has prevented excessive muscle damage and suppression of neutrophil function, especially in ROS production activity, even during an intensive training period.

Influence of a 3-month training program on muscular damage and neutrophil function in male university freshman judoists.

We studied the effects of a high intensity and high frequency 3-month training program on muscle damage and neutrophil function in male judoists. The study included 15 male judoists who started intensive judo training program after a 6-month break. Creatine kinase (CK), neutrophil counts and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production capability as well as phagocytic activity (PA) of neutrophils were measured at 2 stages; entering university (pre-training) and after 3-month training (post-training). At both points, we investigated parameters three times: just before, immediately after and 24 h after a 2-h practice session. Practice-mediated change in CK was lower at post-training than at pre-training. Neutrophil count significantly increased after 2-h practice but recovered 24 h later whereas it showed no subsequent and further increased at 24 h post-practice. Although neutrophil ROS production capability and PA both decreased (breakdown) after practice session, ROS production capability increased and PA decreased (well-adapted) at the post-training. Long-term training strengthened muscular function and improved neutrophil reaction against practice-mediated stress.

Effects of intense exercise on the physiological and mental condition of female university judoists during a training camp.

To clarify the physical and mental fatigue caused by intense exercise and the relationship between the two types of fatigue, we examined changes in anthropometric and biochemical variables, neutrophil function, and the Profile of Mood States (POMS) questionnaire in 13 female university judoists attending a one-week training camp. Blood glucose, total cholesterol, haemoglobin, leukocyte count, IgG, and phagocytic activity all decreased after the training camp compared with baseline (P < or = 0.046). Aspartate aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, creatine kinase, and neutrophil oxidative burst activity increased after the training camp (P < or = 0.007). Of the POMS scores, that for Fatigue increased after the training camp (P = 0.041) and that for Vigour decreased (P = 0.042). The changes in several POMS scores correlated with the changes in blood biochemical variables. In particular, the change in Total mood disturbance was negatively associated with changes in myogenic enzymes (P < or = 0.032). Our results suggest that intense exercise during training camps for female judoists leads to the appearance and accumulation of mental and physical fatigue, which are related to each other.

Measuring neutrophil functions might be a good predictive marker of overtraining in athletes.

In order to develop a predictive marker of overtraining in athletes, we examined the changes in neutrophil function [reactive oxygen species (ROS) production capability and phagocytic activity (PA)] for 10 male and 13 female judoists attending a training camp. Measurements were taken four times in total--immediately before and after a 2 h unified exercise loading (UEL) performed 1 day before (Pre-Camp) and the day after the 7 day training camp (Post-Camp). UEL-mediated aspartate aminotransferase was higher at Post-Camp than at Pre-Camp in females but not in males. Post-Camp leukocyte/neutrophil counts after the UEL significantly increased in females but not in males. The rate of change in C4 was significantly smaller in females than in males at Post-Camp. Only ROS significantly decreased without any compensation (increase in PA) being made at Post-Camp in females. In conclusion, this finding, namely that ROS significantly decreased only at Post-Camp without any compensatory mechanism (increase in PA), would suggest that the training camp imposed greater loading on females than males. This consideration was supported by the atypical aspartate aminotransferase, leukocyte/neutrophil counts and C4 findings which were seen at Post-Camp only in females. Therefore, regularly examining neutrophil functions such as ROS and PA might be a good preventative measure against overtraining in athletes participating in training camps.

The effects of a two-hour judo training session on the neutrophil immune functions in university judoists.

The present study examined the effects of judo training on neutrophil and related functions. We measured and studied changes in the neutrophil and its related functions in 22 male university judoists immediately before (Pre values) and immediately after (Post values) a 2 h training session: reactive oxygen species (ROS) production capability, phagocytic activities (PA) and serum opsonic activity (SOA). Neutrophil count in whole blood, myogenic enzymes (creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase), immunoglobulins (IgG, IgA and IgM) and complements (C3 and C4) in serum were also measured. The Post values of the neutrophil count, myogenic enzymes and IgG increased significantly compared with the Pre values. ROS production capability and SOA also significantly increased following training, although PA showed a slight decrease (but not statistically significant). Taking the findings of our previous studies into consideration, three major neutrophil or related functions, namely ROS production capability, PA and SOA, might compensate for each other to maintain the overall integrity of the neutrophil immune function, in that ROS and SOA increased to compensate for the slight decrease in PA, or PA slightly decreased to compensate for the increase in ROA and SOA after exercise.

Body mass, nonspecific low back pain, and anatomical changes in the lumbar spine in judo athletes.

STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study of a specific population. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the prevalence and coprevalence of nonspecific low back pain (nsLBP) and lumbar radiological abnormalities (LRA) in judo athletes. BACKGROUND: nsLBP and LRA occur frequently in judo athletes. High body mass has been reported to be associated with both nsLBP and LRA. METHODS AND MEASURES: The subjects comprised 82 male judo athletes (mean +/- SD age, 20.1 +/- 0.9 years) from 3 weight categories: lightweight (n = 29), middleweight (n= 31), and heavyweight (n = 22). The presence of nsLBP was evaluated using a questionnaire. LRA were examined using plain-film radiographs and magnetic resonance imaging. The prevalence of nsLBP and LRA were compared among weight categories. RESULTS: The prevalence of nsLBP in the lightweight, middleweight, and heavyweight categories was 34.5%, 32.3%, and 40.9%, respectively. For LRA, prevalence for the 3 weight categories was 65.5%, 90.3%, and 90.9%, respectively (middle-weight and heavyweight greater prevalence than lightweight [P<.05]). The prevalence of LRA in athletes with nsLBP in each category was 50.0%, 100%, and 88.9%, respectively (middleweight greater prevalence than lightweight [P<.05]). The prevalence of LRA in athletes without nsLBP in each category was 73.7%, 85.7%, and 92.3%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of LRA was approximately 90% in the middleweight and heavyweight categories, which was greater than for the lightweight category. There was a large coprevalence of nsLBP and LRA. However, many judo athletes without nsLBP had LRA. The presence of LRA may not have a direct association with nsLBP.

Change in the capability of reactive oxygen species production by neutrophils following weight reduction in female judoists.

OBJECTIVE: Athletes undergoing weight reduction are recognised as being more prone to infection. Few studies exist for athletes on the weight reduction-mediated changes in neutrophil function and related activities such as reactive oxygen species (ROS) production capability, phagocytic activity (PA) and serum opsonic activity (SOA). METHODS: 16 Japanese female university judoists were examined in the early morning of the first day (pre-values) and the last day (post-values) of a 20-day pre-competition training period. Of the 16 subjects, 8 needed to reduce weight (WR group) and the other 8 did not (control group). The parameters assessed were the neutrophil count, serum immunoglobulins and complements, myogenic enzymes, ROS production capability, PA and SOA. RESULTS: Comparing the post-values with the pre-values, ROS production significantly increased in both groups (p<0.01 for both). PA significantly decreased in the WR group (p<0.05); it also decreased in the control group but the decrease was not significant. SOA significantly increased in the control group (p<0.05), but showed no significant change in the WR group. CONCLUSIONS: The changes in the WR group were probably a direct consequence of the weight-reduction regimen coupled with the exercise regimen, suggesting that neutrophil parameters (ROS production, PA and SOA) had tended to deviate from their typical compensatory changes to maintain immune system homoeostasis.

Gender differences in the psychological response to weight reduction in judoists.

We examined gender-related differences in the psychological response to weight reduction in 43 judoists. Twenty-two males and 8 females who required weight reduction [weight reduction (WR) group] (the average percentages of weight reduction observed for males and females were 3.4% and 4.9%, respectively), and 5 males and 8 females who did not require weight reduction (non-WR group). The POMS scores were measured before and after weight reduction. The TMD (total mood disturbance) score in POMS significantly increased after weight reduction only in WR group males. In the female WR group, the anger and depression scores decreased after weight reduction, and the pre-value of the TMD score in thisgroup was relatively high. The psychological stress may be caused by anxiety engendered by the overall concept of weight reduction before actual weight reduction in females, whereas in males it may be caused by the actual weight reduction.

Effect of 6 months' training on the reactive oxygen species production capacity of neutrophils and serum opsonic activity in judoists.

The effects of long-term training on the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) from neutrophils and serum opsonic activity (SOA) remain to date unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of 6 months training on ROS production and SOA in judoists. Fifty-six judoists were enrolled this study. White blood cell counts, serum creatine kinase (CK), asparate aminotransferase (ASAT), alanine aminotransferase (ALAT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and ROS production from neutrophils, and serum opsonic activity (SOA) using the lucigenin and luminol probes, were measured before and after daily judo exercise (2 h) in March and September. The subjects started their training from March after no exercise for three months, and continued it for 6 months (until September). In March, myogenic enzymes such as CK, ASAT, LDH and neutrophil counts increased and immunoglobulins, complements and SOA decreased after daily judo exercise. Such significant changes were not seen in September. On the other hand, ROS significantly increased after daily judo exercise in both March and September, with no significant difference in the rates of change. In conclusion, 6 month training minimized the changes in SOA as well as muscle enzymes, neutrophil counts, serum immunoglobulins and complements. This could be categorized as a long-term training effect. However, no such change was seen in ROS.

[Effects of gender-related weight reduction on the physical condition of male and female college judoists].

OBJECTIVE: In order to study the gender-related effects of weight reduction on the physical condition of male and female college judoists during weight reduction periods, we examined changes in anthropometric, nutritional intake and biochemical parameters in 43 male and female college judoists 20 days (pre-weight reduction) before and one day (post-weight reduction) before the game. METHODS: Subjects were divided into two groups. Thirty subjects (22 males, 8 females) who required weight reduction were defined as the weight reduction (WR) group, and the remaining 13 subjects (5 males, 8 females) were defined as the non-reduction (non-WR) group. RESULTS: In both WR groups, anthropometric parameters and nutritional intake significantly decreased after weight reduction compared to the pre-values. The change ratios of nutritional intake during the weight reduction period in the female WR group were higher than those in the male WR group. Serum lipids and electrolytes significantly decreased after the weight reduction compared to the pre-values in both WR groups. In the female WR group, Cr and UA significantly increased after the weight reduction compared to the pre-values. Although it was not significant, Ht increased after the weight reduction compared to the pre-values only in the female WR group. TP, Cr, UA, BUN, CK, LDH and IgA significantly increased after the weight reduction compared to the pre-values in the weight reduction compared to the pre-values in the male WR group. In contrast, in both non-WR groups, these parameters did not change significantly during the research period. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that nutritional exhaustion and dehydration may be the major effects brought about by energy and fluid restriction in female college judoists during a weight reduction period. On the other hand, in male college judoists undergoing weight reduction, the data suggest that muscle damage and myogenic protein catabolism may be caused chiefly by exercise. These differences may be due to the difference in the method of weight reduction for the different genders, namely, mainly exercise in males and mainly energy and fluid restriction in females.

The acute response of neutrophil function to a bout of judo training.

Intensive exercise training decreases neutrophil functions in athletes. However, no studies to date have investigated the effect of irregular-interval training, such as is associated with judo training programmes, on neutrophil functions. The purpose of this study was to examine such effects. Thirty-seven male college judoists participated in this study. Neutrophil oxidative burst activity, phagocytic activity and expression of CD11b and CD16 per cell were measured by fl ow cytometry before and after judo training. Total neutrophil counts increased significantly from 2.98 +/- 0.82 to 7.95 +/- 1.80 x 10(3)/ microL (p < 0.001). The proportion of neutrophils producing reactive oxygen species (ROS) was increased significantly (p < 0.001). On the other hand, the phagocytic activity decreased after training, as shown by a decrease in the amount of ingested opsonized zymosan per cell (p < 0.001), possibly as a compensatory effect for the increased numbers of ROS-producing neutrophils. Expression of CD11b and CD16 per cell decreased by 20% and 30%, respectively, after judo training. In conclusion, judo training induced a decrease in phagocytic activity through the lowered expression of CD11b and CD16 on the surface of neutrophils, and increased the oxidative burst activity of neutrophils.