The effect of maximal strength training on serum interleukin-6 level and immune system in elite wrestlers

ABSTRACT The Effect of Maximal Strength Training on Serum Interleukin-6 Level and Immune System in Elite Wrestlers Aim: During exercise, Interleukin-6 (IL-6) activates quickly with contractions. The increase rate is faster than the ones recorded for all cytokines in muscles and the amount of increase can occur up to 100 times. It has been proven with studies that IL-6 is released to the body with exercise. It has been emphasized with studies that only the contracted area produces IL-6. IL-6 rate differs according to the individual, the setting and the intensity of exercise. Positive aspects of moderate intensity and regular exercise have been proven by science. However, negative effects of severe exercises on the immune system have also been shown. The purpose of this study is to analyze both acute and chronic effects of maximal strength trainings of elite athletes who have to have serious amounts of strength training during the strength training period on IL-6 and also to analyze the state of immune system cells during the process. Material and Method: The study was conducted on a group of 20 elite wrestlers between the ages 17 and 25 who were on national team level, who had degrees in European and World Championships, some of whom represented Turkey in Rio Olympics, who were staying in TEDAŞ sports camp facility and who had the same nutritional conditions. The athletes were exposed to maximal strength training for 3 days a week for a total period of 8 weeks. Immunity system cells were started to be taken before the maximal strength training at the beginning of the first week and samples were taken before training at the end of fourth and eighth weeks. Immunity system cells were conducted with complete blood count method. Interleukin-6 tests were taken on the same day both before and after training. IL-6 measurements were conducted with ELISA (Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay) method. Complete blood counts and IL-6 measurements were conducted in Ankara Koru Hospital laboratory which is included in CAP (College of American Pathologists) and QC Net (BIO RAD) quality control programs commonly used in the whole world. Results: Repeated measurements showed that variance analysis average IL-6 values did not differ significantly between time points [F(2, 38)= 2.367, p = 0.107, main effect of time]. On the other hand, post-training IL-6 values (0.433) were found to increase significantly at a rate of 0.405 when compared with pre-training values (0.028) [F(1, 19)= 12.352, p = 0.002, main effect of test]. In athletes, the changes in pre-training and post-training Interleukin-6 values are similar at all test points [F(2, 38)= 2.393, p = 0.105, timeXtest interaction effect]. In immune system cells, although Neutrophil % value was found to have a tendency to decrease and Lymphocyte % value was found to have a tendency to increase in leukocyte and sub-groups (neutrophil, lymphocyte, monocyte, eosinophile, basophile), the results are not statistically significant (p>0.05) +/-1 Sh. Conclusion: Post-training IL-6 values of elite athletes were found to be high when compared with pre-training in each measurement. However, as the weeks passed by, IL-6's reaction to trainings decreased significantly. Despite long-term intense trainings, no negative situation was found to occur statistically in immune system during the process. It is thought that maximal strength training will not cause any negations on athletes as long as correct nutrition and resting intervals are provided. Key Words: Basophile, Eosinophile, Immune System, Interleukin-6, Leukocyte, Lymphocyte, Maximal Strength, Neutrophil.