Peritoneal murine macrophages were assayed for their enzyme content and phagocytic
activity after physical exercise. An endurance training as well as a single exhaustive
exercise bout caused increased enzyme and phagocytic activities. However, a homogeneous
activation could not be observed. The exhaustively exercised animals delivered macrophages
with the highest levels of activation. Therefore, physical exercise has to be listed
among the stimuli with macrophage-activating function. The inconsistency between an
activating effect of physical exercise on marcrophages and the observation that high-performance
athletes suffer more frequently from harmless infectious diseases is discussed.
macrophages - enzymes - phagocytosis - physical exercise - immune response
