Effect of competitive training on T-cell mediated immune function in Master's female athletes

Interest in the effects of intense exercise training on immune function has grown over the past decade. Currently, data on the immunocompetence of female endurance athletes are limited and do not present a clear picture. The objective of this study was to compare the T-cell mediated immune function of female Master's athletes (41 +/- 4.3 yr) during peak training with age-matched non-athletes (42 +/- 3.6 yr) using non-specific and antigen-specific stimulation. Samples of peripheral venous blood were taken at rest for determination of total circulating T-cell number, sub-population number and CD4 + helper T-cell function. No significant difference in total circulating T-cell number or in the number of cells in each of the tested lymphocyte subpopulations was detected between athletes (n = 19) and non-athletes (n = 20). In athletes, 7.9 % of cells responding to non-specific (PMA and ionomycin) stimulation produced IL-2 versus 3.9 % of responding cells in non-athletes (p < 0.05). No statistical difference was noted between athletes and non-athletes in the percentages of antigen-responding CD4 + helper T-cells producing IL-2 (2.4 % and 2.3 %, respectively). Results of this study suggest that T-cell mediated immune function may not be compromised in female Master's athletes during periods of competitive training.