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Exercise, immunity, and susceptibility to infection: a j-shaped relationship?
1Faculty of Physical Education and Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 1A1, CAN.
The Physician and Sportsmedicine
|January 21, 2010
Summary
Regular, moderate exercise boosts immune function. While intense exercise might temporarily lower infection resistance, clear evidence for a J-shaped curve is lacking. Strategies exist to minimize infection risk in athletes.
Area of Science:
- Exercise immunology
- Sports medicine
- Infectious disease resistance
Background:
- Regular, moderate exercise is known to enhance immune function.
- Acute, vigorous exercise may temporarily suppress immune defenses, potentially increasing infection susceptibility.
- Epidemiological studies suggest a link between intense exercise and reduced resistance to viral infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize the effects of exercise on immune function and infection risk.
- To evaluate the evidence for a dose-response relationship between exercise intensity and immune function.
- To outline strategies for minimizing infection risk in athletes.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing epidemiological and objective scientific data on exercise and immunity.
- Analysis of studies investigating the impact of acute and regular exercise on immune responses.
- Compilation of evidence regarding infection risk associated with different exercise regimens.
Main Results:
- Moderate exercise consistently enhances immune function.
- Objective data do not conclusively support a J-shaped curve for exercise intensity and immune function.
- Vigorous exercise may transiently impair immune resistance to viral infections.
Conclusions:
- Regular, moderate exercise is beneficial for immune health.
- While intense exercise warrants caution, evidence for a strict dose-response relationship is not definitive.
- Implementing nutritional, hygienic, and other strategies can mitigate infection risks, especially for athletes with systemic symptoms.
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