Initial systemic inflammatory state perturbs exercise training adaptations in elite Taekwondo athletes

Area of Science:

• Sports Medicine
• Exercise Physiology
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Elite Taekwondo (TKD) athletes undergo intense training, potentially influencing systemic inflammation.
• The neutrophils-to-lymphocytes ratio (NLR) is a marker of systemic inflammation.
• Individual inflammatory states may affect training adaptations in athletes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of a 10-week TKD-specific training program on aerobic capacity, body composition, and hematological/hormonal markers.
• To compare training responses between elite TKD athletes with low versus high baseline NLR.
• To explore the relationship between inflammatory state and exercise adaptations.

Main Methods:

• Twenty-two elite college TKD athletes were stratified into Low NLR (N=11) and High NLR (N=11) groups based on baseline NLR.
• Participants completed a 10-week TKD-specific training program.
• Aerobic capacity (VO2max, shuttle run), body composition (fat mass, visceral fat), and hormonal/hematological parameters (including DHEA-S/cortisol ratio) were assessed pre- and post-training.

Main Results:

• Both groups showed significant improvements in VO2max and shuttle run distance, with greater gains in the Low NLR group.
• The High NLR group exhibited higher post-training fat mass percentage and visceral fat area.
• The High NLR group had a lower DHEA-S to cortisol ratio post-training, which correlated negatively with NLR.

Conclusions:

• Elite TKD athletes with a slightly elevated baseline inflammatory state (High NLR) may experience attenuated adaptations to exercise training.
• Higher baseline inflammation is associated with less favorable changes in body composition and hormonal balance following training.
• These findings highlight the importance of considering individual inflammatory status in optimizing training regimens for elite athletes.