Michael Kakanis.

Credit: HD Image Tank

Cycling across the slope of the Mount Gravatt Lookout south of Brisbane, Kakanis can feel he has reached his maximum heart rate of 198 beats per minute. He continues to pump his legs to propel him across the mountain terrain. He can hold this rate of activity for no more than two hours.

Every athlete can increase their endurance through this kind of exertion, but not many know what Kakanis knows: it may have a negative impact on their immune system.

"The respiratory system in particular is under a lot of stress. Salivary immunoglobulin A is known to decrease with strenuous endurance exercise, and that is involved in the defence of pathogens," says Kakanis.

Kakanis from Bond University on the Gold Coast and the Queensland Academy of Sport, is exploring the implication of the 'open window theory', which states that there is an immune suppression after continuous exercise. A group of elite cyclists exercise for two hours at a time in either 15°C or 30°C weather, then Kakanis takes a blood test hourly to measure their immune changes.

With this information he hopes to create training programs that are efficient for hot and humid weather conditions, such as those in Queensland, and help athletes avoid illnesses. A serious athlete himself, Kakanis has participated in triathlons, recreational surfing and is currently a competitive cyclist. "Later on, I hope to work with professionals in Europe," he says.