EFFECT OF SUBMAXIMAL PHYSICAL EXERCISE PERFORMED BY SEDENTARY MEN ANDWOMEN ON SOME PARAMETERS OF THE IMMUNE-SYSTEM

Submaximal physical exercise by sedentary men and women on a bicycle e rgometer for 60 min at 58 % (men) ard 55 % (women) of VO2 max. was eva luated for its effect on the number of total leukocytes (WBC), lymphoc ytes, monocytes and neutrophils and the percentages of CD3+, CD4+, CD8 + and CD19+ lymphocyte subpopulations, as well as on IgA, IgG and IgM serum immunoglobulin levels as one measure of B-lymphocyte function. B lood samples were collected before, immediately after, and 15 minutes after physical exercise. Exercise did not significantly change the tot al number of WBC, lymphocytes, monocytes or neutrophils, or the percen tages of CD3+, CD4+, CD8+ and CD19+ positive cells and the Ig A and Ig M immunoglobulins. However the serum level of IgG immunoglobulins imm ediately after exercise was significantly lower than both before (p < 0.001) and 15 min later (p < 0.05). No differences in the results betw een men and women were detected.