Effects of aerobic exercise training on lymphocyte subpopulations

Int J Sports Med. 1994 Oct:15 Suppl 3:S127-30. doi: 10.1055/s-2007-1021127.

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the effects of an aerobic exercise training program on subpopulations of lymphocyte phenotypes. Fourteen healthy but sedentary males, 18-40 years of age, were randomly assigned to either an aerobic exercise training or control condition. Aerobic exercise training consisted of three 45-minute sessions of cycle ergometry exercise per week at 70-80% of age-predicted maximum heart rate for ten weeks. The aerobic exercise training resulted in a significant decrease in submaximal heart rate from 176 to 150 beats per minute to a fixed work rate of 150 watts (p < .01). This training effect was accompanied by increases in the resting level of the following lymphocyte subpopulations: CD2 (1717 vs 2183 mm3; p < .01), CD4 (942 vs 1280 mm3; p < .01), CD45RA+CD4+ (312 vs 595 mm3; p < .01), CD8 (655 vs 816 mm3; p < .05), and CD20 (162 vs 244 mm3; p < .01) cell counts. These findings indicate that several lymphocyte subpopulations are increased following a 10-week program of aerobic exercise training.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • B-Lymphocytes / cytology
  • CD4 Lymphocyte Count
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / cytology
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / cytology
  • Ergometry
  • Exercise / physiology*
  • Heart Rate / physiology
  • Humans
  • Lymphocyte Count*
  • Lymphocyte Subsets / cytology*
  • Male
  • Physical Fitness / physiology
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / cytology
  • T-Lymphocytes / cytology