Effect of load and speed during downhill walking on salivary Immunoglobulin A
Author(s): Sohini Paul and Dhurjati Majumdar
Abstract: Carrying load is a demanding task involving strenuous physical activity. Downhill load carriage is a part of the daily activity schedule of many individuals. Immunoglobulin A (IgA) is considered as a potential stress marker but not yet fully explored in the downhill load carriage activity. The present study aimed to assess the effect of walking at different speeds with various intensities of load at various downhill gradients on salivary IgA concentration. Twelve healthy and physically active military personnel walked with various intensities of load at downhill gradients in two walking speeds (2. 5km.h-1 and 4.0 km.h-1) for 36 mins in separate experiments. The salivary samples collected immediately prior to the starting and ending of the exercise sessions were analyzed to find out the changes in sIgA concentration. The induced stress due to downhill walking led to mixed response in IgA levels when compared to the baseline values. It was observed that there were both an increment and decrement in salivary IgA concentration at various walking speeds and carrying different intensities of load. Changes of salivary Immunoglobulin A (IgA) showed that downhill walking is also stressful. Observed changes of salivary IgA concentrations in both the walking speeds indicated its role as a positive stress marker in designing work organization.
Practical Implications: The findings of the study may act as a designing tool for planning various training protocols and other work condition not only from the military perspective but for other study populations undergoing physical activity during downhill walking.
Keywords: Downhill walking; Immunoglobulin A; Immune response; Load carriage
Cite as– Paul S. and Majumdar D (2022). Effect of load and speed during downhill walking on salivary
Immunoglobulin A. International Journal of Design and Allied Sciences (IJDAS), 1 (1), 12-19.
PDF Download I DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7634611
