Innate Immune Response to (An)Aerobic Exercise in Rowing Athletes

Exercise induces innate immune response activation in athletes. The response starts during exercise and lasts for approximately 24 hours. This innate immune response shows similarities to the innate immune activation observed in, for example, bacterial infection and trauma. Immediately after exercise, athletes develop leukocytosis and cytokine production is altered towards an inflammatory pattern. However, to gain insight in immune response, a detailed cell receptor expression is required. To investigate the physiological innate immune response to exercise, we developed a model in rowers. Aim: To determine the type and degree of cellular inflammatory response in peripheral blood of elite rowing athletes after both anaerobe and aerobe exercise. Study design: Investigator driven, monocenter observational pilot study. Study population: 16 healthy, non-asthmatic, human volunteers, 18-25 year old. All competitive rowing athletes.