Elevated salivary IgA, decreased anxiety, and an altered oral microbiota are associated with active participation on an undergraduate athletic team

•Undergraduate athletes in the “in-season” compared to athletes in the “off-season” exhibited lower levels of anxiety and higher salivary IgA•Higher salivary IgA levels in “in-season” undergraduate athletes were associated with fewer potentially pathogenic oral bacteria•Anxiety levels in “in-season” athletes were positively correlated with salivary bacteria, and negatively correlated in “off-season” athletes•Active participation on an undergraduate athletic team is associated with reduced anxiety, enhanced oral immunity and an altered oral microbiota