The effect of physical activity on anti-infection immunity: a review

Physical exercise influences the body's resistance to inflammatory and infectious diseases. It has emerged as a crucial physiological regulator of immunological function. In addition, regular, moderate-intensity exercise enhances immune function and may reduce the risk of some infections. However, excessive or prolonged intense exercise can temporarily suppress the immune system, potentially increasing susceptibility to infections, particularly in the upper respiratory tract. This review reviewed the effects of various types of physical activity on the immune system to combat various viral and bacterial infections.

This research took advantage of a reputable publication about how exercise helps the immune system fight off various bacterial and viral diseases. The NCBI (PubMed), Google Scholar, ClinicalTrials.gov, and pertinent conference abstracts were searched to find the sources for this review.

It is well known that regular moderate exercise improves immune surveillance, makes more antibodies, and boosts immune defenses against bacterial and viral infections by balancing cytokines and making sure immune cells can move around properly. This also helps with chronic inflammation and fights the immune system decline that comes with aging. This makes vaccines work better and is a proactive way to avoid getting infections. On the other hand, prolonged or excessive high-intensity exercise temporarily suppresses immune responses through stress-induced hormonal changes, such as elevated cortisol levels, which impair innate and adaptive immunity. Because of the complexities, such personalized exercise prescriptions could leverage immune affordances without subjecting people to risks. Therefore, it is crucial to research how different forms of physical exercise affect the immune system to fight infectious diseases.

This analysis thoroughly summarizes how different physical activities affect the immune system, which helps the body fight off infectious diseases. Due to the complexity of the exercise-immunity relationship, future research should concentrate on developing the best exercise recommendations based on the individual's health conditions, age, and fitness level.