Changes in the leucocyte count during and after brief intense exercise.

Twelve healthy male volunteers exercised at 200 W on a cycle ergometer for 8 min or until exhausted, if sooner. Retrospectively, subjects fell into two groups. During the last minute of exercise at 200 W, those in group 1 (n = 5) had a mean respiratory exchange ratio (R) of 1.06 (SD 0.01) and were working at a mean of 79% (SD 4%) of their maximum oxygen consumption (VO2max) as measured in a separate incremental load test. For subjects in group 2 (n = 7), R was 1.31 (SD 0.08) and their VO2 was maximal (mean 101%. SD 3%). Plasma lactate, and adrenaline concentrations rose to higher levels during exercise in subjects in group 2 than in those in group 1. At the finish of exercise, the leucocyte count and the plasma lactate concentration immediately began to fall in subjects in group 1 whereas in group 2 subjects both rose for several minutes before falling. Plasma catecholamine concentrations fell rapidly in both groups during recovery.