The effect of exercise at various temperatures on salivary levels of immunoglobulin A

The purpose of this investigation was to determine the effect of ambient temperature on the salivary immunoglobulin A (s-IgA) response to submaximal exercise. Nine adult males (x̄ age ± SD = 22 ± 2 yrs) volunteered to perform an incremental treadmill test to exhaustion for the determination of V̇O₂max and three 30-minute treadmill runs at 80% V̇O₂max in an environmental chamber at temperatures of approximately 6, 19 and 34°C. Saliva samples were collected prior to each submaximal workbout as well as immediately and 1 hr post-exercise. A 2 within subjects factors (temperature, sample time) repeated measures ANOVA indicated no significant interaction or main effects for sampling time or temperature. The results of this study indicated that 30 minutes of non-competitive exercise at temperatures ranging from 6 to 34°C had no effect on s-IgA. These findings suggest that moderate intensity exercises at a wide range of ambient temperatures does not increase the susceptibility to upper respiratory infection by decreasing s-IgA.