Effects of dehydration on immune functions after a judo practice session

We investigated the effects of dehydration after a judo practice session on player muscle and immune functions. Subjects included 25 female university judoists. Investigations were performed before and after 2.5 h of regular judo practice. Body composition, serum enzymes (myogenic enzymes, immunoglobulins and complements), neutrophils counts, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production capability, and phagocytic activity (PA) were measured. Subjects were divided into two groups according to level of dehydration after practice (mild dehydration and severe dehydration groups) and results were compared. Creatine kinase was found to increase significantly after practice. In addition, neutrophil count also increased significantly after practice in both groups. The changing ratios of IgA, IgG and C3 observed in the mild dehydration group were significantly higher than those in the severe dehydration group. In the severe dehydration group, post‐practice PA/neutrophil had decreased significantly. Significant positive correlations were found between severity of dehydration and changing ratios of IgA, IgG, IgM, C3, C4 and ROS production capabilities, whereas no significant association was seen with PA and/or serum SOD activity. These results suggest that dehydration resulted in immunosuppression, including decreased neutrophil function. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.