Research article ALTERATION OF IMMUNE FUNCTION IN WOMEN….pdfVIP

©Journal of Sports Science and Medicine (2004) 3, 234-243 Research article ALTERATION OF IMMUNE FUNCTION IN WOMEN COLLEGIATE SOCCER PLAYERS AND COLLEGE STUDENTS 1 1 2 1 Praveen Putlur , Carl Foster , Jennifer A. Miskowski , Melissa K. Kane , Sara E. Burton 1, Timothy P. Scheett 3 and Michael R. McGuigan 4 1 Department of Exercise and Sports Science, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, La Crosse, WI, USA 2 Department of Biology, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, La Crosse, WI, USA 3 Laboratory for Exercise Biochemistry, The University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS USA 4 School of Biomedical and Sport Science, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA 6027, Australia Received: 13 August 2004 / Accepted: 06 October 2004 / Published (online): 01 December 2004 ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to monitor the stress-induced alteration in concentrations of salivary immunoglobulin (S-IgA) and cortisol and the incidence of upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) over the course of a 9-week competitive season in college student-athletes and college students. The subjects consisted of 14 NCAA Division III collegiate female soccer athletes (19.8 ± 1.0 years, mean ± SD) and 14 female college students (22.5 ± 2.6 years). Salivary samples were collected for 9 weeks during a competitive soccer season. S-IgA and cortisol concentrations were determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). A training and performance questionnaire was given to the subjects every week, to record the subjects’ session rating of perceived exertion (RPE) for all the training, load, monotony and strain, as well as any injuries or