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Exercise, upper respiratory tract infection, and the immune system
1Department of Health and Exercise Science, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC 28608.
Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise
|February 1, 1994
Summary
Intense exercise increases the risk of upper respiratory tract infections (URTI), particularly after endurance events. Moderate physical activity, however, may reduce URTI symptoms and risk through beneficial immune changes.
Area of Science:
- Exercise physiology
- Immunology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- The J-curve model describes the relationship between exercise intensity and URTI risk.
- Heavy acute or chronic exercise is linked to increased URTI incidence.
- The period following intense events like marathons shows a heightened URTI risk.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the impact of exercise intensity on URTI risk.
- To investigate the immunological and hormonal responses to exercise.
- To evaluate the potential of moderate exercise in mitigating URTI.
Main Methods:
- Epidemiological studies analyzing exercise habits and URTI incidence.
- Controlled experimental trials with moderate physical activity.
- Analysis of immune function markers and stress hormones (epinephrine, cortisol).
Main Results:
- High-volume exercise, especially post-marathon, correlates with elevated URTI risk.
- Moderate exercise may decrease URTI symptomatology.
- Heavy exertion negatively impacts immune function and increases stress hormones.
Conclusions:
- Heavy exertion compromises immune function, increasing URTI susceptibility.
- Moderate exercise appears to enhance immune function, potentially lowering URTI risk.
- Exercise intensity critically modulates the immune response and infection risk.