effect of processed soybeans (tofu and tempeh) consumption, and exercise on upper respiratory tract immunity

Background: iga is widely used as upper respiratory tract infection (urti) risk marker, as a lower concentration in siga indicates a higher incidence of urti. this study aimed to investigate the effect of different types of exercise; combined with tempeh consumption in increasing siga concentration in saliva sample.methods: 19 sedentary male subjects aged 20-23 were recruited and assigned into 2 groups based on the exercise type, endurance (n=9), and resistance (n=10). these subjects underwent 2 weeks of tofu and tempeh consumption, then were assigned to do exercises based on their groups.results: this study showed an increased mean value of siga concentrations in the endurance group; the baseline value, after food treatment, and after food and exercise treatment were 71.726 ng/ml, 73.266 ng/ml, and 73.921 ng/ml, respectively for tofu treatment; and 71.726 ng/ml, 73.723 ng/ml, and 75.075 ng/ml, respectively for tempeh treatment. while in the resistance group, there was also an increase in the mean value of siga concentrations; baseline, after food treatment, and after food and exercise treatments were 70.123 ng/ml, 71.801 ng/ml, and 74.430 ng/ml, respectively for tofu treatment; and 70.123 ng/ml, 72.397 ng/ml, and 77.216 ng/ml, respectively for tempeh treatment. these results indicated that combining both tempeh consumption and moderate intensity resistance exercise was more effective to increase siga concentration.conclusions: this study showed that combining moderate intensity resistance exercise with consumption of 200 gr tempeh for 2 weeks was more effective in increasing siga concentration; compared to endurance exercise and tofu consumption.