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A Loughborough University study has identified a protein in saliva that could be key to ensuring the health and well-being of Britain’s elite athletes.
Vernon Neville, Professor Michael Gleeson and Dr Jonathan Folland from the University’s School of Sport and Exercise Sciences have discovered that levels of the immunoglobulin A protein (IgA), which is found in human saliva, can provide advance warning of upper respiratory infections (URIs) – a common cold, which are the most common medical complaint of athletes.
The study involved 38 athletes from the prestigious America’s Cup yacht race and is the most comprehensive of its kind. It is the first to show that URIs can be predicted by monitoring saliva protein levels in groups of elite competitors. The results have huge potential for athletes as well as other groups such as the armed forces, where good health is paramount for performance and infections are easily spread.
The study was carried out over 50 weeks and subjects were from a top yacht crew preparing for the 32nd America’s Cup (2007). Athletes provided weekly saliva samples and rated their level of fatigue, while their sailing and training load and any respiratory illnesses and infections were also recorded.
Results showed that levels of the saliva protein declined in the weeks prior to infection, and as a group the lower the level of IgA the greater the risk of illness. When IgA levels dropped below 40% of the normal value, athletes had a one in two chance of infection. Low levels of IgA also corresponded with high levels of fatigue, identified by the athletes.
Upper respiratory infections have a huge impact on athlete health. In a two-year training period before the 31st America’s Cup, 40% of all illnesses were URI, which accounted for 60% of days absent from sailing due to illness.
Dr Folland believes regular monitoring of saliva holds the key to reducing occurrences of URI.
“This is the first real evidence of an immune system marker that can help to predict upper respiratory illness,” he said. “URIs may be avoided by regularly monitoring saliva levels of a group and using illness prevention strategies such as reduced training, improved nutrition and limiting exposure to infections when low values occur.
“Not only is this information invaluable for those managing groups of elite athletes, but it has much wider implications in many environments where good health is vital to performance.”
Latest News
Police issue advice after Asian gold jewellery and watches stolen during burglaries | ||
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 | Police issue advice after Asian gold jewellery and watches stolen during burglariesLeicestershire Constabulary has issued advice after a number of burglaries where jewellery has been stolen. Incidents have occurred across the county where homes have been broken into and thousands of pounds worth of jewellery and items of sentimental value have been taken.... 10 Feb 2012 Police issue advice after Asian gold jewellery and watches stolen during burglaries | |
Police name driver of van following fatal collision in Groby | ||
| Police name driver of van following fatal collision in GrobyPolice have named the driver of the van who died following a collision on the A50 in Groby. The collision occurred at about 9.... 10 Feb 2012 Police name driver of van following fatal collision in Groby | |
Man sentenced to six years after two robberies at Nationwide and Yorkshire Bank | ||
 | Environment & Transport10 February 2012Learn to make a meal out of leftoversA series of free cookery classes are being held to teach people how to cook up a treat using leftovers. As well as cooking up to three recipes, Leicestershire residents who attend can pick up tasty recipe cards and take home a free goody bag containing giveaways including a spaghetti measure and a meal planner.... 10 Feb 2012 Learn to make a meal out of leftovers | |
Robbery on Victoria Park | ||
| Robbery on Victoria ParkPolice are appealing for witnesses to a robbery on Victoria Park. The incident happened Sunday, January 22 at around 7pm when the 19-year-old victim was walking across the park towards the memorial from London Road.... 09 Feb 2012 Robbery on Victoria Park | |
Related News
Kelly Holmes at Loughborough University | |
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 | 30 promising young athletes from across the UK have been personally selected by Dame Kelly Holmes to attend an intensive ten-day camp held at Loughborough University this week.... 10 Apr 2008 Kelly Holmes at Loughborough University |
Chairman presents sports grants to young athletes | |
| Photo Opportunity: The Chairman of Leicestershire County Council, Tony Kershaw, will welcome a group of possible London 2012 athletes to receive sports grants from the County Council. The presentation is taking place on Tuesday 4th November at 6.... 04 Nov 2008 Chairman presents sports grants to young athletes |
Chairman presents sports grants to young athletes | |
 | 3 November 2008Chairman presents sports grants to young athletesPhoto Opportunity: The Chairman of Leicestershire County Council, Tony Kershaw, will welcome a group of possible London 2012 athletes to receive sports grants from the County Council. The presentation is taking place on Tuesday 4th November at 6.... 27 Dec 2008 Chairman presents sports grants to young athletes |
Chairman presents sports grants to young athletes | |
| 3 November 2008 Chairman presents sports grants to young athletes Photo Opportunity: The Chairman of Leicestershire County Council, Tony Kershaw, will welcome a group of possible London 2012 athletes to receive sports grants from the County Council. The presentation is taking place on Tuesday 4th November at 6.... 27 Dec 2008 Chairman presents sports grants to young athletes |
Chairman presents sports grants to young athletes | |
| 3 November 2008 Chairman presents sports grants to young athletes Photo Opportunity: The Chairman of Leicestershire County Council, Tony Kershaw, will welcome a group of possible London 2012 athletes to receive sports grants from the County Council. The presentation is taking place on Tuesday 4th November at 6.... 27 Dec 2008 Chairman presents sports grants to young athletes |
Relevant News
Kelly Holmes at Loughborough University | |
|---|---|
| 30 promising young athletes from across the UK have been personally selected by Dame Kelly Holmes to attend an intensive ten-day camp held at Loughborough University this week.... 10 Apr 2008 Kelly Holmes at Loughborough University |
Swim champ Simmonds switches Olympic preparation to Loughborough | |
 | British Champion Elizabeth Simmonds is set to train at Loughborough University as she sets her sights on the 2008 Beijing Olympics.... 18 Apr 2008 Swim champ Simmonds switches Olympic preparation to Loughborough |
Availability of drug-free treatment could help Britain's two million insomnia sufferers | |
 | A unique study of insomnia by Loughborough University's Sleep Research Centre has found that chronic insomnia has a negative impact on both social and occupational performance.... 14 May 2008 Availability of drug-free treatment could help Britain's two million insomnia sufferers |
SCREENING FOR DIABETES POTENTIALLY COST-EFFECTIVE FOR UK | |
 | A new University of Leicester study reveals that screening people who are at risk of developing diabetes could be a cost-effective health policy and improve the lives of patients.... 14 May 2008 SCREENING FOR DIABETES POTENTIALLY COST-EFFECTIVE FOR UK |
Loughborough University seeks senior women for strength training study | |
 | Loughborough University is seeking women aged 65 to 85 to take part in a brand new strength training study.... 04 Jun 2008 Loughborough University seeks senior women for strength training study |
Most Read News (today)
Leicester men guilty of smuggling 36m of cannabis | |
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| Leicester men guilty of smuggling 36m of cannabis Anjam Nazir, Mohinder Singh, Baljinder Singh Three men from Leicester have pleaded guilty to their part in one of the country s biggest Cannabis smuggling operations. Leicestershire Constabulary is now able to provide details about the 36m drugs investigation following the conclusion of the trial at Winchester Crown Court today (Tuesday June 2).... 02 Jun 2009 Leicester men guilty of smuggling 36m of cannabis |
Second collision on M1 northbound | |
 | Leicestershire Constabulary are investigating a second fatal collision on the M1 northbound. The first collision happened at around 8.... 12 Nov 2008 Second collision on M1 northbound |
Cement mixer stolen from Hinckley | |
| Cement mixer stolen from Hinckley Police are appealing for witnesses after a burglary at a building site in Hinckley. The incident happened at a building site at a premises on Baines Lane between 4.... 10 Mar 2009 Cement mixer stolen from Hinckley |
Police confirm death of woman in Shepshed is non-suspicious | |
| Police confirm death of woman in Shepshed is non-suspiciousOfficers investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a woman in Shepshed have confirmed that the death is not being treated as suspicious. The body was discovered in Butthole Lane at about 1pm on Wednesday January 5.... 06 Jan 2011 Police confirm death of woman in Shepshed is non-suspicious |
Man found guilty of assault and rape of woman in Loughborough | |
| Man found guilty of assault and rape of woman in LoughboroughPaulius TroninasA 19-year-old man has today (Friday January 7, 2011) been found guilty of the assault and rape of a woman in Loughborough. Paulius Troninas, 19, of Paget Street, Loughborough was found guilty of rape and section 18 grievous bodily harm following a trial at Nottingham Crown Court.... 07 Jan 2011 Man found guilty of assault and rape of woman in Loughborough |
Most Read News (this month)
Leicester men guilty of smuggling 36m of cannabis | |
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| Leicester men guilty of smuggling 36m of cannabis Anjam Nazir, Mohinder Singh, Baljinder Singh Three men from Leicester have pleaded guilty to their part in one of the country s biggest Cannabis smuggling operations. Leicestershire Constabulary is now able to provide details about the 36m drugs investigation following the conclusion of the trial at Winchester Crown Court today (Tuesday June 2).... 02 Jun 2009 Leicester men guilty of smuggling 36m of cannabis |
Second collision on M1 northbound | |
| Leicestershire Constabulary are investigating a second fatal collision on the M1 northbound. The first collision happened at around 8.... 12 Nov 2008 Second collision on M1 northbound |
Cement mixer stolen from Hinckley | |
| Cement mixer stolen from Hinckley Police are appealing for witnesses after a burglary at a building site in Hinckley. The incident happened at a building site at a premises on Baines Lane between 4.... 10 Mar 2009 Cement mixer stolen from Hinckley |
Police confirm death of woman in Shepshed is non-suspicious | |
| Police confirm death of woman in Shepshed is non-suspiciousOfficers investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a woman in Shepshed have confirmed that the death is not being treated as suspicious. The body was discovered in Butthole Lane at about 1pm on Wednesday January 5.... 06 Jan 2011 Police confirm death of woman in Shepshed is non-suspicious |
Man found guilty of assault and rape of woman in Loughborough | |
| Man found guilty of assault and rape of woman in LoughboroughPaulius TroninasA 19-year-old man has today (Friday January 7, 2011) been found guilty of the assault and rape of a woman in Loughborough. Paulius Troninas, 19, of Paget Street, Loughborough was found guilty of rape and section 18 grievous bodily harm following a trial at Nottingham Crown Court.... 07 Jan 2011 Man found guilty of assault and rape of woman in Loughborough |
Most Read News (alltime)
Fatal road traffic collision on Melton Road | |
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| Fatal road traffic collision on Melton Road Officers from the force s Serious Collision Investigation Unit are appealing for witnesses after a fatal road traffic collision on Melton Road. The collision occurred at around 7.... 08 Jun 2009 Fatal road traffic collision on Melton Road |
Forensic Psychology | |
 | Volunteers are being sought to take part in a new study at the University of Leicester which will have important implications for forensic research. Participants are required to spend just 30 minutes undertaking memory tasks and questionnaires which will help to shed new light on the relationship between personality, the experience of life adversity, and eye-witness memory.... 23 May 2008 Forensic Psychology |
Five Leicester men sentenced after illegal immigration scam | |
| Five Leicester men sentenced after illegal immigration scamTop L to R - Sandip Rana, Satish Ravat, Vishal Shah bottom L to R Bhavesh Patel and Jaswinder ChahalFive Leicester men have today (Thursday November 25) been sentenced for their part in an illegal immigration scam. Bhavesh Patel (27) of Columbine Road, Hamilton, Satish Ravat (28) of Arbour Road, Leicester, Sandip Singh Rana (29) of Moores Road, Leicester, Jaswinder Chahal (42) of Swithland Avenue, Leicester and Vishal Jitendra Shah (25) of Braemar Close, Leicester pleaded guilty at Leicester Crown Court at an earlier hearing to assisting unlawful immigration to a member state contrary to section 25 of the Immigration Act 1971.... 25 Nov 2010 Five Leicester men sentenced after illegal immigration scam |
Multi agency forum test explosion exercise at Leicester Racecourse | |
| Multi agency forum test explosion exercise at Leicester RacecourseMembers from Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Local Resilience Forum (LRF) have today (Wednesday October 27, 2010) been involved in a pre-planned exercise to test how emergency services would cope with a major incident. At 10.... 27 Oct 2010 Multi agency forum test explosion exercise at Leicester Racecourse |
Missing girl returns home safe and well | |
| Missing girl returns home safe and well Officers investigating the disappearance of a 14-year-old girl have confirmed she has returned safe and well. Sarah Dunn was reported missing from home on Monday May 25.... 08 Jun 2009 Missing girl returns home safe and well |