EFFECT OF ACUTE EXERCISE ON SOME HEMATOLOGICAL PARAMETERS AND NEUTROPHIL FUNCTIONS IN ACTIVE AND INACTIVE SUBJECTS

In this work we studied the possible effects of acute exercise on some haematological parameters and on some functions of neutrophils in sev en active and six inactive subjects. Physical exercise (10 min on a cy cle ergometer at a heart rate of 150 beats.min(-1)) induced a signific ant increase in total leucocyte, lymphocyte and neutrophil concentrati ons in active subjects; serum iron and ferritin concentrations were lo wer in active compared to inactive subjects. Cellular adhesion, bacter icidal activity and superoxide anion production did not change after e xercise, while we also observed some differences between active and in active subjects before exercise. In particular, the neutrophils from a ctive subjects showed a significantly higher percentage of adhesion, h igher bactericidal activity and lower superoxide anion production, In conclusion, the training induced changes in some neutrophil functions, while acute exercise influenced, overall, leucocyte concentrations.