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Influence of physical exercises on salivary immunoglobulin A (sIgA) concentration in athletes: a systematic review with meta-analysis

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Abstract

Objective

To evaluate the scientific evidence to the question: does physical exercise influence the concentration of salivary immunoglobulin A (sIgA) in athletes?

Methods

Searches were conducted in Medline via Pubmed, Web of Science, Scopus, Lilacs via Virtual Health Library, and through manual search and gray literature. Eligibility criteria were outlined based on PECOS: Population—athletes older than 14 years old; Exposition—sport activity, considering the duration and intensity of the exercise; Comparison—saliva collection before, during and, after training/competition; Outcome—standardized mean difference in sIgA concentration level; Study design—observational studies. Two reviewers (kappa 0.90) applied the eligibility criteria, extracted the qualitative data, assessed methodological quality/risk of bias and assessed the certainty of the evidence (GRADE). For quantitative data, a meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.4 software.

Results

A total of 2,981 articles were found and 22 were included, 20 obtained moderate methodological quality and 19 were with risk of bias. Six studies showed no change, 4 increased and 12 decreased the sIgA concentration. Meta-analysis considering concentration levels of sIgA before and after sports activity did not present statistical significance (p = 0.13; CI − 0.46 [− 1.07, 0.14]) with very low certainty of evidence.

Conclusion

Physical exercise showed no difference in sIgA concentration in athletes. However, due to the risk of bias and to very low certainty of the evidence, further studies with better methodologies are needed (#CRD42018085367).

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Acknowledgements

The work was supported by individual scholarships (FAPERJ–Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (#E-26/010.002195/2019), CAPES–Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Postgraduate Program in Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Fluminense Federal University, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

    Thuanny Castilho, Ludmila da Silva Guimarães, Leonardo Santos Antunes & Lívia Azeredo Alves Antunes

  2. Department of Basic Science, Health Institute of Nova Friburgo (FCB-ISNF) Fluminense Federal University, Nova Friburgo, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

    Helvécio Cardoso Corrêa Póvoa

  3. Department of Specific Formation, School of Dentistry, Health Institute of Nova Friburgo (FFE-ISNF) Fluminense Federal University, Rua Doutor Silvio Henrique Braune, 22 - Centro, Nova Friburgo, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, CEP: 28625-650, Brazil

    Leonardo Santos Antunes & Lívia Azeredo Alves Antunes

  4. Postgraduate Program in Dentistry, Health Institute of Nova Friburgo, Fluminense Federal University, Nova Friburgo, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

    Leonardo Santos Antunes & Lívia Azeredo Alves Antunes

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  1. Thuanny Castilho
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Correspondence to Leonardo Santos Antunes.

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Castilho, T., da Silva Guimarães, L., Póvoa, H.C.C. et al. Influence of physical exercises on salivary immunoglobulin A (sIgA) concentration in athletes: a systematic review with meta-analysis. Sport Sci Health 18, 621–639 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11332-021-00870-4

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