INTRODUCTION: The participation of athletes in sessions of intense and prolonged exercise can lower the number and functional capacity of circulating leukocytes. On the other hand, the intake of a carbohydrate solution can attenuated the immunosuppressive effects of exercise. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of aerobic and anaerobic exercises, and carbohydrate supplementation on blood concentrations of total and differential counts leukocytes, hemoglobin and serum glucose in Wistar rats. METHODS: 69 Male Wistar rats (60 days) were divided into six groups: sedentary non-supplemented (n = 12) and supplemented (n = 12); trained in Maximum Lactate Steady State (EEML) not supplemented (n = 11) and supplemented (n = 11) trained at high intensity non-supplemented (n = 12) and supplemented (n = 11). The training protocol consisted of eight weeks of continuous swimming pattern EEML (60min.day-1) or intermittent (two periods of 30 minutes, for exercise with 10 minutes rest), with overloads corresponding to 5% and 10% of body weight, respectively. For 37 days the animals were supplemented with a daily dose of 0.48 g.kg-1 maltodextrin dissolved in water or pure water. RESULTS: There was no effect of carbohydrate supplementation and the two types of training on blood concentrations of leukocytes. The anaerobic exercise (p = 0.04) and the use of maltodextrin (p = 0.003) resulted in increases in blood hemoglobin concentrations, while aerobic exercise caused an increase in the concentration of serum glucose (p < 0.02). CONCLUSION: The different types of exercises were not involved with leukopenia, anemia, or hypoglycemia that could lead to early muscle fatigue and decreased performance.
leukocytes; hemoglobins; maltodextrin; athletic performance
