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Psychological stress during exercise: lymphocyte subset redistribution in firefighters

Chun-Jung Huang1, Heather E Webb, Ryan S Garten

  • 1Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, Florida 33431, USA.

Physiology & Behavior
|June 24, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Firefighters experienced increased heart rate, norepinephrine (NE), and epinephrine (EPI) during a combined mental and physical challenge. This dual stress impacted immune cell distribution, particularly T cells and B cells.

Area of Science:

  • Exercise Physiology
  • Immunology
  • Occupational Health

Background:

  • Firefighting involves significant physical and mental stress.
  • Understanding the physiological and immunological responses to these stressors is crucial for firefighter health.
  • Previous research has explored exercise-induced immune changes, but the combined effects of mental challenges are less understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate changes in heart rate (HR), catecholamines (norepinephrine [NE], epinephrine [EPI]), and blood lymphocyte subsets in firefighters during moderate exercise combined with a decision-making challenge.
  • To explore potential relationships between catecholamines and lymphocyte subsets following this dual challenge.

Main Methods:

  • Ten male firefighters underwent two conditions: moderate-intensity exercise alone (EAC) and exercise combined with a computerized firefighting strategy challenge (FSC).
  • Physiological markers (HR, NE, EPI) and lymphocyte subsets (CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, NK, B cells, CD4/CD8 ratio) were measured.
  • Data were analyzed to compare conditions and identify correlations.

Main Results:

  • The combined firefighting strategy condition (FSC) resulted in significantly higher HR, NE, and EPI compared to exercise alone (EAC).
  • Both conditions increased natural killer (NK) cells, while CD3+ T cells, CD4+ helper T cells, CD19+ B cells, and total lymphocytes decreased immediately post-challenge.
  • Norepinephrine AUC was negatively correlated with CD19+ B cells, and HR was negatively associated with the CD4/CD8 ratio change.

Conclusions:

  • The dual challenge of mental decision-making and physical exertion significantly elevates sympathetic nervous system activation in firefighters.
  • This heightened sympathetic response likely influences the observed alterations in lymphocyte subset distribution.
  • Findings suggest a need to consider the combined physiological and immunological impacts of demanding occupational tasks on firefighter health.

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