Table 2. Possible immunological and biochemical markers of impending overtraining.

Leukocyte responses to antigens (e.g. lymphocyte proliferation, neutrophil degranulation, NK cytotoxic activity)

Salivary IgA

Neutrophil/Lymphocyte Ratio

T-cell CD4+/CD8+ Ratio

T-cell CD4+CD45RO+ expression

Plasma cortisol or cortisol/testosterone ratio

Urinary steroids or catecholamines

Plasma glutamine

Plasma urea

Plasma cytokines (e.g. IL-6)

Blood lactate response to incremental or high intensity exercise

Plasma or salivary cortisol response to high intensity exercise