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Potential Physiological and Cellular Mechanisms of Exercise That Decrease the Risk of Severe Complications and
Johan Jakobsson1, Ian Cotgreave2, Maria Furberg3
1Section of Sports Medicine, Department of Community Medicine and Rehabilitation, Umeå University, 901 87 Umeå, Sweden.
Sports (Basel, Switzerland)
|September 26, 2021
Summary
Regular physical activity (PA) and maintaining a healthy weight improve immune function and protect against severe COVID-19 outcomes. This review explores how PA enhances antiviral defenses and overall health, crucial for combating biological threats.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Public Health
- Exercise Physiology
Background:
- COVID-19 pandemic highlights vulnerability to biological threats.
- Age is a risk factor, but low cardiorespiratory fitness (obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hypertension) increases mortality risk.
- Physical activity (PA) protects against immune disorders, multi-morbidities, and mortality.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review physiological, cellular, and molecular mechanisms linking PA to improved host antiviral defense in COVID-19.
- To explore how PA influences the course and outcome of COVID-19.
- To discuss the impact of PA on multiple organ systems and cellular functions relevant to COVID-19.
Main Methods:
- Literature review synthesizing current research on PA and COVID-19.
- Analysis of physiological, cellular, and molecular pathways.
- Examination of effects on immune, cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, and hormonal systems.
Main Results:
- Elevated cardiorespiratory fitness, non-obesity, and regular PA enhance immunological function.
- PA mitigates inflammation and immunosenescence, improving antibody response to vaccination.
- PA positively impacts multiple physiological systems, bolstering antiviral defense.
Conclusions:
- Regular PA and healthy weight are crucial for mitigating COVID-19 severity and improving outcomes.
- PA enhances host defense mechanisms through various physiological and molecular pathways.
- Maintaining fitness is vital for resilience against pandemics and biological threats.
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