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Cold and exercise together can weaken the immune system more than either stressor alone. This may increase infection risk for winter athletes, but more research is needed on subfreezing conditions.

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Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Exercise Physiology
  • Environmental Medicine

Background:

  • Cold exposure and physical exertion independently stress the body, affecting circulation, metabolism, and immune function.
  • Combined stressors may amplify immune depression, increasing infection risk, particularly for individuals like winter athletes exposed to cold and exercise.
  • Existing research indicates physiological and immunological changes occur with cold and exercise, but the combined effects, especially in subfreezing temperatures, require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review existing literature on physiological and immunological changes due to cold exposure and exercise.
  • To assess the potential for amplified immune impairment when cold and exercise stressors are combined.
  • To identify research gaps concerning the impact of subfreezing exercise on immune function and infection risk.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies examining physiological and immunological parameters in response to cold and/or exercise.
  • Analysis of reported changes in hormonal levels (norepinephrine, cortisol), immune cell counts (lymphocytosis), immune responses (lymphoproliferative, TH1 cytokines, salivary IgA), and metabolic markers (lactate).

Main Results:

  • Brief cold exposure increases norepinephrine, cortisol, lymphocytosis, lactate, while decreasing lymphoproliferative responses, TH1 cytokines, and salivary IgA.
  • Exercise in near 5°C conditions may cause greater immune impairment than in milder temperatures.
  • The impact of exercise in subfreezing temperatures on immune impairment and infection risk is not yet fully understood.

Conclusions:

  • Combined exposure to cold and exercise presents a significant stress that can potentially lead to greater immune impairment than either stressor individually.
  • While evidence suggests increased immune impairment with exercise in cold, further research is crucial to understand the specific effects of vigorous exercise in subfreezing environments.
  • Determining the amplified immune impairment and infection risk associated with winter athletes' typical training conditions is essential.