Intense Exercise Suppresses the Immune System
December 3, 2008 | Leave a Comment
The primary aim of any type of physical exercise is to make the body stronger and to keep it fit. This is also the same purpose of weight training. The weight is supposed to add pressure and make the body adapt. Most weight lifters live by the motto “no pain, no gain” and “more is better and you can’t work too hard.” Over working the body proves to be ineffective. It actually delays improvement for many months. Over exercise will backfire resulting in injuries, fatigue and the suppression of the immune system.
This is the claim of some Japanese researchers.
Laboratory rats that were exposed to four consecutive days of treadmill running to exhaustion showed suppressed immune system. The over trained rats showed low levels of immunoglobulin A. Immunoglobulin A is responsible to fighting off bacteria and viruses. The measurement of immunoglobulin A in the saliva of the rats proves to be a convenient method for detecting over training. They recommended that this method be used in detecting over training in athletes.
Source: Scandinavian Journal Medicine Science Sports, 18: 367-372, 2008
