Sports Performance Research Institute New Zealand, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand.
AUT-Roche Diagnostics Laboratory, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand.
Eur J Sport Sci. 2022 Dec;22(12):1827-1835. doi: 10.1080/17461391.2021.2009041. Epub 2021 Dec 30.
The primary aim of this study was to examine if biomarker and/or self-reported data could predict upper respiratory tract symptom (URTS) risk in elite field hockey players. The secondary aim was to investigate the effect of the additional stressor 'repeated heat exposure' on measures of thermoregulation and immunity. A prospective cohort repeated measures study design was used to collect URTS, household illness, self-reported wellness, biomarker and thermoregulatory data from elite male field hockey players ( = 19), during an 8-week training and competition period that simulated the preparatory and competition phases of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Heat response testing (HRT) was performed at the beginning of the study period, following heat acclimation (HA) and following an intensified competition period (ICP) played in hot and humid conditions (27-37°C and 53-80% relative humidity). Univariate frailty analysis demonstrated that illness in players' households (Hazard ratio (HR: 4.90; < 0.001)) and self-reported stress (HR: 0.63; = 0.043) predicted players' risk for URTS. Additionally, low baseline resting salivary secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA) concentration predicted players' "potential" URTS risk ( = 0.021). The additional stressor "repeated heat exposure" was found to facilitate partial thermoregulatory adaptation without attenuating resting immune functions. In conclusion, lifestyle and behavioural factors (i.e. household illness and stress) influenced players risk for URTS more so than sport-related stressors. Furthermore, repeated heat exposure did not appear to compromise players resting immunity. To assess athletes' risk for URTS, baseline screening of SIgA concentration and regular monitoring of self-reported lifestyle and behavioural data are recommended. Self-reported illness in players' households and higher self-reported stress significantly predicted increased upper respiratory tract symptom risk.Low baseline salivary secretory immunoglobulin A concentration predicted players "potential" URTS risk.Repeated heat exposures facilitated partial thermoregulatory adaptation without altering resting immunity.
本研究的主要目的是检验生物标志物和/或自我报告的数据是否可以预测精英曲棍球运动员上呼吸道症状（URTS）的风险。次要目的是研究额外的应激源“反复热暴露”对体温调节和免疫功能的影响。采用前瞻性队列重复测量研究设计，收集 19 名精英男性曲棍球运动员在 8 周的训练和比赛期间的 URTS、家庭疾病、自我报告的健康状况、生物标志物和体温调节数据，这段时间模拟了 2020 年东京奥运会的准备和比赛阶段。在研究开始时、热适应后和在炎热潮湿的条件下（27-37°C 和 53-80%相对湿度）进行激烈比赛后进行热反应测试（HRT）。单变量脆弱性分析表明，运动员家庭中的疾病（危险比（HR）：4.90； < 0.001）和自我报告的压力（HR：0.63； = 0.043）预测了运动员 URTS 的风险。此外，低基线唾液分泌型免疫球蛋白 A（SIgA）浓度预测了运动员的“潜在”URTS 风险（ = 0.021）。发现额外的应激源“反复热暴露”促进了部分体温调节适应，而不会削弱静息免疫功能。总之，生活方式和行为因素（即家庭疾病和压力）对运动员 URTS 的风险影响大于与运动相关的应激源。此外，反复的热暴露似乎没有损害运动员的静息免疫力。为了评估运动员 URTS 的风险，建议在基线时筛查 SIgA 浓度，并定期监测自我报告的生活方式和行为数据。运动员家庭中报告的疾病和较高的自我报告压力显著预测了上呼吸道症状风险的增加。低基线唾液分泌型免疫球蛋白 A 浓度预测了运动员的“潜在”URTS 风险。反复的热暴露促进了部分体温调节适应，而不会改变静息免疫。
