Abstract
In order to assess 6-month periodisation of top university ekiden runner, the changes of muscle fatigue and immune functions of 17 male university ekiden runners were investigated in each training period. The investigation was carried out during the normal training period (6 months before the race), before and after the
intensive training camp period (3 or 4 months before the race), at the start of the conditioning period (one month
before the race) and at the end of the conditioning period (10 days before the race). Investigation parameters
were myogenic enzymes, serum opsonic activity (SOA) and serum superoxide dismutase (SOD). Neither levels
of myogenic enzymes nor immunoglobulins and complements showed any signifi cant changes in each period. The
level of SOA signifi cantly decreased after the training camp compared to before, and tended to recover towards
the race. SOD levels were signifi cantly higher after the training camp and at the conditioning period compared to
before, which might be a reaction against the oxidative stress induced by training. Conclusion, the subjects had good
physical management during the training periods prior to the race from the standpoint of muscle fatigue and immune
functions. Furthermore, the parameters used in this study may be useful to assess runners' physical condition during
a long season of training.
