Elderly men with moderate and intense training lifestyle present sustained higher antibody responses to influenza vaccine

Abstract

We aimed to verify whether different levels of training performed regularly and voluntarily for many years could have an impact on one of the main issues of immunosenescence: the poor response to vaccines. We recruited 61 healthy elderly men (65-85 years old), 23 with a moderate training (MT) lifestyle (for 17.0± 3.2 years), 22 with an intense training (IT) lifestyle (for 25.9±3.4 years), and 16 without a training lifestyle (NT). Fitness was evaluated through the IPAQ and VO 2 max consumption. The participants were evaluated regarding cognitive aspects, nutritional status, depression, and quality of life. Antibody titers were determined by hemagglutination inhibition assay prior to influenza vaccination and at 6 weeks and 6 months post-vaccination. Strains used were B, H3N2, and H1N1. Our groups were matched for most characteristics, except for those directly influenced by their lifestyles, such as BMI, VO 2 max, and MET. In general, MT and IT elderly men showed significantly higher antibody titers to the three vaccine strains post-vaccination than NT elderly men. There were also higher titers against B and H1N1 strains in the trained groups before vaccination. Additionally, there were higher proportions of seroprotected (titers≥1:40) individuals in the pooled trained groups both at 6 weeks (B and H3N2, p < 0.05) and 6 months (H1N1, p <0.05; B, p=0.07). There were no significant differences between the MT and IT groups. Either a moderate or an intense training is associated with stronger and longstanding antibody responses to the influenza vaccine, resulting in higher percentages of seroprotected individuals.

Benefits of Exercise on Influenza or Pneumonia in Older Adults: A Systematic Review

“…Most studies that reported similar findings focused on the effects of exercise on immunocompetence in young subjects [42][43][44][45]. However, although all the X-sec studies demonstrated positive associations between exercise and influenza-related mortality or immunocompetence, there seems to be no consistent intensity of exercise reported as both moderate and vigorous exercise may boost the antibody responses [33,35]. More research comparing the effects of moderate and intensive exercise needs completion for further verification.…”

“…In 2002, a study by Kohut et al [35] demonstrated that only regular, vigorous aerobic exercise contributed to greater immune responses to influenza vaccination when compared with moderate exercise and sedentary behavior. However, a recent study by de Araújo et al [33] reported that both moderate and vigorous exercise exhibited higher antibody responses.…”

Moderate and intense exercise lifestyles attenuate the effects of aging on telomere length and the survival and composition of T cell subpopulations

“…The participants of the present study were recalled from a larger cohort of 61 elderly individuals (65-85 years) who participated in our previous study on the effect of training on vaccination responses (de Araújo et al 2015). These individuals were recruited mainly from runner associations, sports clubs, community-based exercise programs for the elderly, outpatient services, and our institution's association of former employees.…”

“…Blood sampling in the trained groups was conducted ≥48 h after the last regular training session and at least 1 week after participation in any competition. Fitness status was assessed through the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and VO 2 max consumption, as previously described (de Araújo et al 2015).…”

Physical Activity and Diet Shape the Immune System during Aging

“…The benefits of maintaining thymic output and naive T-cells-such as those that have been shown to reduce immune senescence-were demonstrated in a study of 65-85-year-old men who engaged in regular physical activity for an average of 25 years. These participants showed higher antibody responses to influenza vaccination compared to controls of the same age [38]. Similarly, regular activity for three times per week at a moderate intensity over 10 months resulted in a significant increase in the antibody titer of an influenza vaccine [39].…”