Supplemental aerobic, anaerobic and strength training positively affects autonomic functioning, anaerobic capacity, and immune cell homeostasis of male judo athletes

The present study aimed to investigate the effect of additional package of aerobic, anaerobic and strength training (AAS training), along with the conventional judo specific training, on autonomic nervous system balance, anaerobic capacity, exercise adaptation, phenotype of different blood mononuclear cells and cellular inflammatory signalling of university judo athletes. Thirty male judokas were randomly allocated to a control group/conventional judo specific training group (performing Uchi-komi, Nage komi, and Randori) or to an experimental group/conventional judo specific training + additional AAS training group. Physiological data including recovery ANS variables and anaerobic capacity were obtained by using wireless heart rate variability and anaerobic cycle ergometer, respectively, at two different time points (T1-pre, T3-post). Serum and primary mononuclear cells were prepared at three different time points (T1-pre, T2-acute, T3-post) and processed further as per the experimental requirement. For measuring the expression level of genes, and proteins biomarkers related to immune health, we have performed advanced qPCR array technique, flow cytometry, ELISA and zymosan-fluorescein assays. The additional training modality enhanced athletes’ anaerobic performance, parasympathetic functioning, and exercise adaptation. On the other hand, it decreased fatigue index, stress index, number of reactive immune cells, and intensity of inflammatory signalling. Overall, the present study, for the very first time, exhibited the positive effect of four weeks long additional AAS training on autonomic functioning, anaerobic capacity, and immune cell homeostasis of male judo athletes. This additional training package might also help the judo coaches to optimise training schedule for the competitive session.