Salivary antimicrobial protein responses during multistage ultramarathon competition conducted in hot environmental conditions.

Prolonged strenuous exercise is commonly reported to depress oral-respiratory immune status and increase the incidence of upper respiratory symptoms. This novel investigation aimed to determine the salivary antimicrobial responses and hydration status of ultraendurance runners (n = 23) during a 230-km multistage ultramarathon conducted in hot ambient conditions (32-40 °C). Body mass was measured and unstimulated saliva and venous blood samples were taken before and after each stage of the ultramarathon.