Debunking the Myth of Exercise-induced Immune Suppression: Redefining the Impact of Exercise on Immunological Health Across the Lifespan.
John Campbell,James E. Turner +1 more
Reads0
Chats0
TLDR
Evidence that frequent exercise enhances—rather than suppresses—immune competency is provided, and key findings from human vaccination studies which show heightened responses to bacterial and viral antigens following bouts of exercise are highlighted.Abstract:
Epidemiological evidence indicates that 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. Despite the apparent health benefits achieved by leading an active lifestyle, which imply that regular physical activity and frequent exercise enhance immune competency and regulation, the effect of a single bout of exercise on immune function remains a controversial topic. Indeed, to this day, it is perceived by many that vigorous exercise can temporarily suppress immune function. In the first part of this review, we deconstruct the key pillars which lay the foundation to this theory – referred to as the ‘open window’ hypothesis – and highlight that: (i) limited reliable evidence exists to support the claim that vigorous exercise heightens risk of opportunistic infections; (ii) purported changes to mucosal immunity, namely salivary IgA levels, after exercise do not signpost a period of immune suppression; and (iii) the dramatic reductions to lymphocyte numbers and function 1-2 hours after exercise reflects a transient and time-dependent redistribution of immune cells to peripheral tissues, resulting in a heightened state of immune surveillance and immune regulation, as opposed to immune suppression. In the second part of this review, we provide evidence that frequent exercise enhances – rather than suppresses – immune competency, and highlight key findings from human vaccination studies which show heightened responses to bacterial and viral antigens following bouts of exercise. Finally, in the third part of this review, we highlight that regular physical activity and frequent exercise might limit or delay ageing of the immune system, providing further evidence that exercise is beneficial for immunological health. In summary, the over-arching aim of this review is to rebalance opinion over the perceived relationships between exercise and immune function. We emphasise that it is a misconception to label any form of acute exercise as immunosuppressive, and, instead, exercise most likely improves immune competency across the lifespan.read more
Citations
More filters
Journal ArticleDOI
The compelling link between physical activity and the body's defense system.
David C. Nieman,Laurel M. Wentz +1 more
TL;DR: Habitual exercise improves immune regulation, delaying the onset of age-related dysfunction and advances in mass spectrometry technology will provide new insights on exercise–immune responses.
Journal ArticleDOI
Immune Function and Micronutrient Requirements Change over the Life Course
TL;DR: This review looks at immune considerations specific to each life stage, the consequent risk of infection, micronutrient requirements and deficiencies exhibited over the life course, and the available evidence regarding the effects of micronsutrient supplementation on immune function and infection.
Journal ArticleDOI
Mental Health Problems during the COVID-19 Pandemics and the Mitigation Effects of Exercise: A Longitudinal Study of College Students in China.
TL;DR: The severity of the COVID-19 outbreak has an indirect effect on negative emotions by affecting sleep quality, and a possible mitigation strategy for improving mental health includes taking suitable amounts of daily physical activity and sleeping well.
Journal ArticleDOI
Dietary and Lifestyle Changes During COVID-19 and the Subsequent Lockdowns among Polish Adults: A Cross-Sectional Online Survey PLifeCOVID-19 Study.
TL;DR: Pattern of dietary changes during the COVID-19 pandemic and their associations with sociodemographics, body mass index (BMI) before pandemic, and lifestyle changes in Polish adults are identified and the effects of lockdowns on dietary–lifestyle changes are examined.
Journal ArticleDOI
Human needs in COVID-19 isolation.
TL;DR: It is recommended that exercise should be as vigorously promoted as social distancing itself during periods of lockdown, and an in-built system of homeostasis can help rebalance activity, thought and feeling.
References
More filters
Journal ArticleDOI
Association of Leisure-Time Physical Activity With Risk of 26 Types of Cancer in 1.44 Million Adults
Steven C. Moore,I-Min Lee,Elisabete Weiderpass,Peter T. Campbell,Joshua N. Sampson,Cari M. Kitahara,Sarah Kozey Keadle,Hannah Arem,Amy Berrington de Gonzalez,Patricia Hartge,Hans-Olov Adami,Hans-Olov Adami,Cindy K. Blair,Kristin Benjaminsen Borch,Eric Boyd,David P. Check,Agness Fournier,Neal D. Freedman,Marc J. Gunter,Marc J. Gunter,Mattias Johannson,Mattias Johannson,Kay-Tee Khaw,Martha S. Linet,Nicola Orsini,Yikyung Park,Elio Riboli,Kim Robien,Catherine Schairer,Howard D. Sesso,Michael Spriggs,Roy Van Dusen,Alicja Wolk,Charles E. Matthews,Alpa V. Patel +34 more
TL;DR: Leisure-time physical activity was associated with lower risks of many cancer types, and most of these associations were evident regardless of body size or smoking history, supporting broad generalizability of findings.
Journal ArticleDOI
Prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of the overtraining syndrome: joint consensus statement of the European College of Sport Science and the American College of Sports Medicine.
Romain Meeusen,Martine Duclos,Carl Foster,Andrew Fry,Michael Gleeson,David C. Nieman,John S. Raglin,Gerard Rietjens,Jürgen M. Steinacker,Axel Urhausen +9 more
TL;DR: The recent status of possible markers for the detection of overtraining syndrome is provided and it is generally thought that symptoms of OTS, such as fatigue, performance decline, and mood disturbances, are more severe than those of NFOR.
Journal ArticleDOI
Cancer immunoediting from immune surveillance to immune escape
TL;DR: The central roles of effector cells and cytokines in tumour immunity, and the escape mechanisms of tumour cells during tumour progression are discussed.
Journal ArticleDOI
Effects of stress on immune function: the good, the bad, and the beautiful.
TL;DR: It is proposed that short-term stress is one of the nature’s fundamental but under-appreciated survival mechanisms that could be clinically harnessed to enhance immunoprotection and “good” versus “bad” effects of stress on health.
Journal ArticleDOI
Circadian control of the immune system
TL;DR: The current knowledge of circadian rhythms in the immune system is summarized and an outlook on potential future implications is provided.
Related Papers (5)
The compelling link between physical activity and the body's defense system.
David C. Nieman,Laurel M. Wentz +1 more
Voluntary Running Suppresses Tumor Growth through Epinephrine- and IL-6-Dependent NK Cell Mobilization and Redistribution
Line Pedersen,Manja Idorn,Gitte Holmen Olofsson,Britt Lauenborg,Intawat Nookaew,Intawat Nookaew,Rasmus Hvass Hansen,Helle Hjorth Johannesen,Jürgen C. Becker,Katrine S. Pedersen,Christine Dethlefsen,Jens Nielsen,Julie Gehl,Bente Klarlund Pedersen,Per thor Straten,Per thor Straten,Pernille Hojman,Pernille Hojman +17 more