Immune System Health: Myths vs facts
Multiple studies in humans and animals have demonstrated the profound impact that exercise can have on the immune system.
There is a general scientific consensus that regular bouts of moderate intensity exercise is beneficial for host immune defense, particularly in older adults and people with chronic diseases.
Regular physical activity and/or frequent structured exercise reduces the incidence of many chronic diseases in older age, including communicable diseases such as viral and bacterial infections, as well as non-communicable diseases such as cancer and chronic inflammatory disorders.
Key findings from human vaccination studies show heightened responses to bacterial and viral antigens following bouts of exercise.
Regular physical activity and frequent exercise appears to limit and delay aging of the immune system, providing further evidence that exercise is beneficial for immunological health.
Additionally, there is limited reliable evidence to support the claim that vigorous exercise heightens risk of opportunistic infections, as commonly believed.
𝙍𝙚𝙛𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚:
J Campbell, J Turner (2018): Debunking the Myth of Exercise-Induced Immune Suppression: Redefining the Impact of Exercise on Immunological Health Across the Lifespan. Front. Immunol., 16 April Department for Health, University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom