FARZANAKI, P.; AZARBAYJANI, M. A.; RASAEE, M. J.; JOURKESH, M.; OSTOJIC, S. M.;
STANNARD, S. Salivary immunoglobulin A and cortisol response to training in young elite
female gymnasts. Brazilian Journal of Biomotricity, v. 2, n. 4, p. 252-258, 2008. The aim of this
study was to observe the relationship between salivary immunoglobulin A (IgA) and cortisol
concentrations in response to daily training load in elite gymnasts. Eleven young female
athletes (age 11 ± 2 years, height 145 ± 11 cm, weight 34 ± 8 kg) engaged in controlled training
sessions performed either once per day and twice per day starting at 8.30 to 10.30 a.m. and
from 6 to 8 p.m. Samples of 5 ml of unstimulated saliva collected pre-exercise, immediately after
exercise and 2 hr following exercise session were taken for measurement of salivary IgA and
cortisol. Salivary IgA was not different after one or two sessions of exercise (p > 0.05) were
performed, while salivary cortisol was significantly higher when two training sessions were
performed on the same day (p < 0.05). No significant correlation was observed between IgA
and cortisol concentration. The results of this study showed that inceased training load in young
elite female gymnasts has no effect on salivary IgA concentration, but is associated with an
increase in cortisol concentration on the heavier workload day.
