Comparison of Immune System Parameters in Elite and Amateur Karate-Kas versus Non-Athletes

Karate is one of the most popular contact martial arts with the a high risk of physiological injuries. Hence, the aim of this study was the comparison of the immune system parameters in elite and amateur karate-ka versus non-athletes.

This study comprised of a descriptive survey employing 387 healthy volunteers in Isfahan aged 27.2 ± 7.4 years (mean ± sd). According to the athletic qualification and weekly training sessions, subjects were divided into the elite group include of the world or international karate champions (men: N=65; women: N=64); and the amateur group includes of black belt karate-ka without transnational champions (men: N=75; women: N=54). Non-athletes were chosen with the same anthropometric characteristics but without any regular exercises (men: N=71; women: N=58). For ethical considerations, participants were informed about the processes of the survey. After receiving their written consent and completing a biographical questionnaire, all volunteers were instructed to fast at a given time and the amount of 5cc blood samples from the brachiocephalic vein was received in tubes containing anticoagulants of EDTA. The blood samples were analyzed for CBC tests for the incidence of leukocytes via the NBT method by Sysmex. One-way ANOVA and Scheffe post hoc tests were used to analyses the data by the SPSS software version 22 and the significant level was considered at P <0.05.

The results showed that there were no significant statistical differences between the parameters of immune system (neutrophils, monocytes, basophils, eosinophils, lymphocytes and white blood cells) in elite and amateur groups (P >0.05). However, these parameters belonging to elite group as well as amateur group (excluding white blood cells) were significantly lower non-athletes (P <0.05).

The results showed that the immune system of athletes who were active in karate-ka competitions, may be impaired, therefore the proper interventions for preventing them from viral and infectious diseases are recommended