Can exercise boost immune function in children?

We excluded studies that compared outcomes in athletes and highly trained sports men and women, as such individuals undertake volumes and intensities of training unrepresentative of the general population. Like a home security system that guards against intruders and sounds the alarm when needed, your immune system is on-call and ready to signal for help when it perceives a threat. The cells and organs of your immune system work together to locate, identify and remove germs and other invaders to keep you safe and healthy. Its crew also heals the damage that intruders cause, just like you’d need someone to repair a broken window or door. It responds to invaders right away by attacking any organism that shouldn’t be in your body.

3.1. Effects on neutrophils

The second one has as mechanism of action the T lymphocytes (TCD4 + and TCD8 +) and B lymphocytes and their products, such as antibodies and cytokines. Furthermore, the adaptive immune response can be subdivided into cellular immunity (mediate by cells as macrophages and lymphocytes) and humoral immunity (mediates by cells as macrophages and lymphocytes) and humoral immunity (mediated by antibodies) [10, 11]. The regular practice of physical exercises promotes improvements in quality of life and can act in the immune response, reducing the risk of developing systemic inflammatory processes and stimulating cellular immunity [12]. Both resistance training and endurance sports contribute to a healthy immune system. For instance, a Canadian study found that people who exercised with resistance bands three times per week enjoyed increased levels of NK-cells; and European researchers claim that endurance sports (like running a marathon) actually boost the immune system rather than suppressing it. Nevertheless, there is currently more evidence to support the benefits of resistance training than those of endurance exercise.

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Once you’re aware of how your body feels in its present state, you can take steps to give it what it needs. Together, these factors contribute to a strong body both on the outside and inside, and one that is more equipped to fight off germs when they do enter the body. Keep reading to learn more about the “how” behind these connections between exercise and immunity (and why you don’t want to overdo it, either). Pooled inequality measures were calculated considering only countries with at least 20 individuals in the categories used to each calculation. This approach resulted in the inclusion of 48 countries for calculating the pooled median difference for double stratification.

Prolonged and intensive exercise induces physiological and metabolic stress and a corresponding and profound effect on both innate and adaptive immunity. Your immune system is your body’s first line of defense against bacteria and viruses. A weak or stressed immune system leaves you and your family vulnerable to illness and infection, while strong, healthy immune systems will give your whole family the power to fight against the bad stuff. Everyday activities include climbing stairs, grocery shopping, or cleaning the house. Physically active middle-aged or older adults have a lower risk of functional limitations than people who are inactive. Muscle strengthening is important for older adults who experience reduced muscle mass and muscle strength with aging.

Acute High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) triggers a temporary immune activation in monocytes. Studies show that a single session of HIIT significantly decreases TLR2 best workout apps expression on classical and CD16+ monocytes, indicating its anti-inflammatory properties and the ability to modulate monocyte immune responses (105). Additionally, acute HIIT also indirectly influences monocyte activation by decreasing postprandial triglyceride levels, increasing CD11b and reducing CD36 expression on monocytes (106). The number of HIIT studies investigating immune responses in human participants is limited but expanding. Most studies indicate that immune responses to HIIT at recommended levels are rapid but modest and transient, similar to the beneficial responses to moderate, sustained exercise bouts.

Activated by regular exercise, immune cells in muscles found to fend off inflammation, enhance endurance in mice

Vitamin D exerts positive effects on innate immunity by increasing autophagy and chemotaxis in immune cells and reinforcing human physical barriers, such as intestinal and corneal tissues (Chirumbolo et al., 2017). Although vitamin D seems to stimulate regulatory T cells’ activity in many diseases, there are not enough data in the literature confirming a significant role of vitamin D in the regulation of adaptive immunity. There is evidence that lack or deficiencies of minerals and vitamins as well as an excess of saturated fatty acids negatively affect immune responses. An important difference in terms of immunity changes can be made among healthy and undernourished elder people. Pae et al. (2012) show that old people with protein dietary deficiency exhibit an alteration of most cell-mediated immunity parameters, such as lymphocytes proliferation and cytokines synthesis, as well as reduced macrophage function and phagocytosis.

How Exercise Supports Overall Physical Health

• In cancer patients, HIIT has been shown to increase NK cell counts and tumor infiltration, augmenting antitumor immunity (114, 115), while higher training doses yield better tumor NK cell infiltration (115).
• The evidence presented in this and the other series papers48,49 provides a strong basis for harnessing the full human, societal and planetary potential of physical activity by positioning it as a key element of a broad, integrative 21st century global public health agenda.
• “We’re trying to understand the multicellular nature of tissue responses to stress, including stress from exercise,” says Kent Langston, PhD, assistant professor of pathology and the lab’s principal investigator.
• Notably, the ratio of IL-10 to TNF-α varies across different tissues, exhibiting an anti-inflammatory impact in muscle while adipose tissue tends to be pro-inflammatory (193).
• We stratified the analysis by population groups when sufficient studies were available.
• Similarly, aging has a significant impact on B cell functions, as many other B-cell biomarkers of aging have been identified.

Nonetheless, the mechanisms behind this immunomodulatory role are still unclear, and further research could elucidate the mechanisms and pathways of the role of polyphenols in immune functions. Probiotics are also helpful in reducing upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) incidence and duration, though the reports are meager. A decrease in duration of RTI symptoms and severity of symptoms with an increase in immune cells like T helper cells (CD4+) and T suppressor cells (CD8+) has also been noted after probiotics administration (Kim et al., 2018). Some studies also showed that after colostrum supplementation, secretary IgA concentration remained unchanged compared to the control group observed in IgA-deficient children through decreased infection severity or in athletes (Patiroglu and Kondolot, 2013; Shing et al., 2013). It was observed that individuals taking vaccination of oral Salmonella typhi Ty21a along with bovine colostrum for 1week showed an increasing pattern of IgA compared to controls though non-significant (He et al., 2001).

The benefits and effects of micronutrients on immunity have been widely studied (Maggini et al., 2018). The deficiency of micronutrient zinc that acts as a cofactor in enzymes leads to immune dysfunction related to adaptive and innate immune response (Pecora et al., 2020). The role of zinc specifically has been found to improve patients’ immunity with sepsis (Alker and Haase, 2018). Evidence also shows that additional intake of certain micronutrients (more than current RDAs) improves the immune system and reduces susceptibility to infections (Berger et al., 2021). Nutritional interventions have been a part of some cultures or traditions like the Indian and the Chinese for a long time. Thus, nutrition intervention could be an essential therapeutic way to manage many diseases in hospitals, clinics, and homes (Reber et al., 2019).

Exercise combats health conditions and diseases

Acute and long-term intense/exhaustive exercise affects the monocyte-macrophage system through different mechanisms, activating pro-inflammatory responses, disrupting immune function, and causing tissue damage, thereby increasing susceptibility to infections. Studies have found that after a single bout of exhaustive exercise in healthy subjects, the number of classical monocytes (CD14++/CD16-) decreases, while the numbers of intermediate (CD14+/CD16+) and non-classical monocytes (CD14-/CD16++) increase. Additionally, LPS stimulation leads to reduced IL-6 and IL-10 production by monocytes, while TNF-α secretion increases, indicating a shift to a pro-inflammatory state (154). Acute intense exercise also increases the expression of TLR2 and TLR4 on monocyte surfaces and decreases HLA-DR expression, weakening the antigen-presenting ability of monocytes (155). Animal studies show that after acute exhaustive exercise, M1 macrophages in the liver are activated (156), and macrophages migrate to muscle, liver, and kidney, promoting the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and exacerbating tissue damage (157–159).

Relationship Between Physical Activity and Immune System

It is hypothesized that consumption of low molecular weight components of bovine colostrum elicits transient accumulation and release of new NK cells. Thus, the benefits of micro fractions of bovine colostrum in humans that are easily digested or pass through gut lining could be envisioned. Supplementation of bovine colostrum of 20g/day in male subjects for 4weeks acts as an immune booster in exercise-induced stress through significant increase in the neutrophil function and salivary lysozyme while lack of such effect has been observed after 12weeks of regimen (Jones et al., 2019).

Antioxidant Vitamins

Therefore, nutrition is one of the significant factors impacting the body’s immune system or defense mechanism. We judged 20 RCTs as being at moderate risk of bias and 12 at high risk because of poor randomisation, selection bias and poor reporting and management of missing data. For vaccination studies, two were low risk while two were at moderate risk of bias and two at high risk because of selection bias and overall design issues. Details of quality assessment in each domain are given in ESM (Tables S5, S6 and S7). However, remaining active at appropriate levels seems to be a challenge in a context of confinement and social isolation, which emphasizes the importance of developing training with recommendations adapted to the new routine of the population.

Better health starts here

Aim for two or three days of moderate-intensity exercise, like steady-state cycling, swimming, golf, or walking, and one or two days of high-intensity exercise like running, HIIT classes, or interval cycling classes. Supplement with two days of functional strength training, targeting each major muscle group with practical exercises like squats, push-ups, deadlifts, lunges, and planks. All together, that should give you an extra layer of protection from the common cold.

Immunity in response to physical activity

CD4+ and CD8+ T cells can differentiate into Th1 or Th2 subsets, with Th1 cells producing pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-2, IFN-γ) for cell-mediated immunity and Th2 cells producing anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-4, IL-10) for humoral immunity (60). Moderate-intensity training improves both Th1 and Th2 functions, maintaining Th1/Th2 balance. Studies show that acute moderate exercise increases the IL-2/IL-4 ratio in allergic rhinitis patients, reducing inflammation (61), while 2 months of moderate training in healthy males significantly increased IFN-γ and IL-2 levels in PBMC cultures, enhancing Th1 responses (62). In older adults, regular moderate-intensity exercise increases CD28 expression and Th1 cell count, improving overall immunity (63). Furthermore, Drela et al. observed that moderate exercise enhances IL-2 production, mitigating immunosenescence in older individuals (64). Research by Mooren et al. showed that the combined effect of fasting and moderate-intensity exercise significantly enhances oxidative burst activity in neutrophils post-exercise (27).

Physical activity augments immunity by increasing vaccine efficacy and preventing severe infectious disease outcomes. Known pathways include improvements in (1) immune surveillance (acute response), (2) immune remodeling (chronic response) and (3) inflammation resolution (chronic response). It improves cardiovascular health, lowers blood pressure, helps control body weight, and protects against a variety of diseases. Just like a healthy diet, exercise can contribute to general good health and therefore to a healthy immune system. A reduction in immune response to infections has been demonstrated by older people’s response to vaccines. For example, studies of influenza vaccines have shown that for people over age 65, the vaccine is less effective compared to healthy children (over age 2).