training effects on immune function in judoists

Background: it has been reported that high intensity long term training in elite athletes may increase risk of immune function. objectives: this study is to examine training effects on immunoglobulin and changes of physiological stress and physical fitness level induced by increased cold stress during 12-week winter off-season training in elite judoists. patients and methods: twenty-nine male participants (20 ± 1 years) were assigned to only judo training (cg, n = 9), resistance training combined with judo training (rj, n = 10), and interval training combined with judo training (ij, n = 10). blood samples collected at rest, immediately after all-out exercise, and 30-minute recovery period were analyzed for testing iga, igg, and igm, albumin and catecholamine levels. results: vo2max and anaerobic mean power in ij (p < 0.05) and anaerobic power in rj (p < 0.05) were significantly increased after 12-week training compared to cg. there was no significant interaction effect (group × period) in albumin after 12-week training; however, there was a significant interaction effect (group × period) in epinephrine after 12-week training (f (4, 52) = 3.216, p = 0.002) and immediately after all-out exercise and at 30-minute recovery (f (2, 26) = 14.564, p = 0.008). there was significantly higher changes in epinephrine of rj compared to ij at 30-minute recovery (p = 0.045). there was a significant interaction effect (group × period) in norepinephrine after 12- week training (f (4, 52) = 8.141, p < 0.0001), at rest and immediately after all-out exercise (f (2, 26) = 9.570, p = 0.001), and immediately after all-out exercise and at 30-minute recovery (f (2, 26) = 8.862, p = 0.001). conclusions: winter off-season training of ij increased physical fitness level as well as physical stress induced by overtraining. along with increased physical stress, all groups showed reduced trend of iga; however, there was no group difference based on different training methods.