Ph.D., Associate Professor V.S. Golokova¹
Dr.Med., Professor F.A. Zakharova²
Dr.Med. A.S. Gol'derova^3
1Institute of Physical Culture and Sport of North-Eastern Federal University named after M.K. Ammosov, Yakutsk
 ²Medical Institute of North-Eastern Federal University named after M.K. Ammosov
³Yakut Scientific Center of complex medical problems, Yakutsk

Keywords: blood count, immune status, cellular immunity, athletes, maladjustment.

Introduction. Analysis of modern literature on the social and biological aspects of life of man undergoing considerable physical and psychological stress showed that both in Russia and abroad sports physiology and medicine are focused mainly on identification of quantitative criteria characterizing the states of norm, tension, adaptation, pre-pathology and pathology. Among the most important and unresolved aspects of this problem is finding out the limits of permissible variations in the functional systems of the body due to high intensity and big physical loads; creating standardized methods for diagnosing various states of the body, making short-term and long-term health forecasts [2]. A special place belongs to the problem of sports training in the conditions of the North where athletes in addition to high-intensity physical loads exposed to extreme climatic factors that increase the load on all the physiological systems of the body [1].   

In addition to the generally accepted opinion that athlete's performance depends on such factors as the level of his functional status, motivation and emotions, one more factor is becoming increasingly proved – that of the state of immunity [6].

In this regard a major role is to be played by a new work area of a sports doctor which is athlete’s health forecasting. Preclinical diagnostics understood as assessment of the state of the body and its capabilities during the transition from the norm to a pathology in the absence of overt signs of a disease requires a quantitative assessment of health of an individual and remains one of the most pressing issues of modern science and practice [5].

The mechanisms of adaptation and maladjustment of the body of single combat athletes living in the harsh climatic conditions of Yakutia have been studied insufficiently.

The purpose of the research was to assess the degree of strain of the regulatory systems of the body of junior single combat athletes of Yakutia. 

Research organization. 100 skilled male athletes (50 boxers and 50 freestyle wrestlers) from Yakutia, of 17 to 26 years of age (mean age 18.2±2.3) were subject to a clinical laboratory examination. All subjects were winners and medalists of international and national competitions, their experience in sports being from 9 to 16 years and rated Candidates for Master of Sport (CMS) – 48% and Masters of Sport (MS) – 52%. According to the results of the annual comprehensive medical examination conducted by the specialists of the National health center for physical culture all athletes were virtually healthy.   

Research results and discussion. Adaptive changes in the athletes' blood system are characterized by an increase in hemoglobin and red blood cells due to the increased tissue oxygen demand. These indicators are common in assessment of the impact of physical activity on the blood system.  

According to the results of laboratory tests the average values of the blood count of athletes conformed to the generally accepted standards (Table 1).

Table 1. Peripheral blood indicators (М±m)

*- the difference is statistically significant (p<0.05)

However, a decrease in the number of red blood cells to less than 3.5х10¹²/l in 15% of athletes of the study group, a decrease in hemoglobin to less than 120 g/l in 22% of athletes, relative lymphocytosis in 47% of athletes and relative monocytosis in 32% of athletes were observed during individual analysis of hematological blood parameters. An athlete who has symptoms of anemia cannot cope with extreme sports loads due to an insufficient energy supply of muscular activity during hypoxia. A decrease in compensatory abilities of the blood system can cause adaptation failure and disease development [4].

As is well known, the impact of physical loads on the immune system manifests itself in changes of the number and structure of lymphocyte subpopulations, their functional activity, and intensity of immune response [3].

Immune status 28 skilled athletes was assessed as one of the main health indicators since immune disturbances hamper improvement of athlete's performance in elite sport (Table 2).

Table 2. Immune system indicators (М ± m)

^* - significance of the differences (p<0.05)

In terms of the athletes' average indicators there is a statistically significant (р≤0.05) decrease in T-lymphocytes (CD3+), Т-helpers (CD4+), cytotoxic T-cells (CD8+), activation markers CD71+ and  CD25+ in comparison with the reference group. In terms of the activation markers of the immune system there is a statistically significant decrease in CD25+ and CD71+, which are regarded as early activation markers of T-lymphocytes. In terms of the athletes' humoral immunity, there is a statistically significant decrease in Ig A and an increase in Ig G compared with the reference group.

Individual analysis has shown a decrease in the absolute number of total T-lymphocytes (CD3) in 68% of athletes, cloned cytotoxic T-cells (CD8) - in 47% and T-helpers (CD4) - in 64% of the subjects. The number of CD19 cells (В-lymphocytes) is decreased in 18%, increased in 21% of athletes. Normal immune status parameters are observed in 43.4% of wrestlers and 56.7% of boxers.

Thus, the study of the immune status revealed a moderate decrease of activity of the T-cell immunity of athletes compared with the reference group. The values of serum immunoglobulins (Ig А, Ig М, Ig G) of athletes ranged within generally accepted norms, although their average values differed in comparison with the reference group.

Conclusion. Early diagnostics of maladaptive changes is needed for the timely correction of the training process and to prevent diseases in athletes. Athletes in the “risk group” need careful medical supervision, observation in dynamics, preventive measures (rest, diet, medical treatment) and an individual approach to their training process.

The need to develop a preclinical diagnostics method for integrated assessment and management of adaptive processes and health of the individual is dictated by time. The method is based on the methodological principles of assessment of border-line states and aimed not at finding a disease but at defining the adaptive state of an individual.

The peripheral blood and immune system analysis is used to estimate the degree of tension of regulatory systems of the body of young single combat athletes of Yakutia, to adjust the amount of physical activity, with the view of prevention of development of maladaptive disorders.

Athletes can achieve maximum athletic performance and stay healthy in case of coordinated functioning of organs and systems of different levels.

References

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Corresponding author: vgolokova@list.ru