Natural killer cells and exercise training in the elderly: a review

Area of Science:

• Exercise immunology
• Immunosenescence
• Innate immune system

Background:

• Natural killer (NK) cell activity decreases with age, linked to increased infection and mortality risk.
• Regular physical activity shows a positive association with mitigating immunosenescence.
• Research on exercise effects on NK cells in the elderly is limited compared to younger populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the existing literature on the effects of exercise and training on natural killer cells in the elderly.
• To highlight the limited research and inconsistencies in studies concerning exercise immunology in older adults.
• To underscore the need for further exploration into the clinical relevance of these findings.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies investigating exercise, training, and natural killer cell activity in elderly populations.
• Analysis of reported effects of physical activity on NK cell function and counts in older individuals.
• Identification of limitations and methodological differences across existing studies.

Main Results:

• Training generally increases or does not alter natural killer cell activity or counts in the elderly.
• Existing studies show variability, making direct comparisons difficult.
• The clinical significance of exercise-induced changes in NK cells in the aged remains largely unexplored.

Conclusions:

• Physical activity may play a role in supporting NK cell function during aging.
• More standardized and extensive research is needed to confirm these findings and explore clinical implications in the elderly.
• Addressing methodological limitations is crucial for advancing exercise immunology in aging populations.