Immune function in sport and exercise

Abstract

Regular moderate exercise is associated with a reduced incidence of infection compared with a completely sedentary state. However, prolonged bouts of strenuous exercise cause a temporary depression of various aspects of immune function (e.g., neutrophil respiratory burst, lymphocyte proliferation, monocyte antigen presentation) that usually lasts approximately 3-24 h after exercise, depending on the intensity and duration of the exercise bout. Postexercise immune function dysfunction is most pronounced when the exercise is continuous, prolonged (>1.5 h), of moderate to high intensity (55-75% maximum O(2) uptake), and performed without food intake. Periods of intensified training (overreaching) lasting 1 wk or more may result in longer lasting immune dysfunction. Although elite athletes are not clinically immune deficient, it is possible that the combined effects of small changes in several immune parameters may compromise resistance to common minor illnesses, such as upper respiratory tract infection. However, this may be a small price to pay as the anti-inflammatory effects of exercise mediated through cytokines and/or downregulation of toll-like receptor expression are likely mediators of many of the long-term health benefits of regular exercise.

Immunoendocrine responses of male spinal cord injured athletes to 1-hour self-paced exercise: Pilot study

“…Few data exist to support differences in resting immune function with training status [40]. Nieman et al reported elevated NK cell activity in elite rowers compared with controls [41].…”

Parâmetros Imunológicos E Infecções Do Trato Respiratório Superior Em Atletas De Esportes Coletivos

“…Antagonicamente, o exercício pode levar a um quadro imunossupressor, com aumentos nos episódios de ITRS, caso executado intensamente e/ou por períodos prolongados que extrapolem as limitações físicas dos atletas ou quando o período de recuperação é insuficiente [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13] .…”

“…Os aumentos nos episódios de ITRS tem relação com: aumentos nas contagens dos neutrófilos e diminuição nos linfócitos circulantes 1,14 ; redução da proliferação dos linfócitos e na citotoxicidade das células Natural Killers (NK) 1,13,14 ; aumento da apoptose dos linfócitos 1,13 ; redução da imunidade da mucosa, em decorrência de diminuições nas concentrações séricas de anticorpos específicos, principalmente a imunoglobulina (Ig)-A 1,3,7,15 e aumentos nas concentrações séricas das citocinas pró-inflamatórias, principalmente interleucina (IL)-1β, IL-6 e fator de necrose tumoral (TNF)-α. Essas modificações são mais evidentes após provas de maratona 1,7,9 e testes prolongados em esteira 1,14 .…”

Serum from exercising humans suppresses t-cell cytokine production

“…Exercise can profoundly influence health [1], and there is mounting evidence that the mechanism of these beneficial effects is related, in part, to the impact of exercise on immune function [2]. Precisely how the various physiological perturbations that accompany physical activity (ranging from acidosis to heat to the secretion of potent endocrine hormones and neuroadrenergic mediators) actually alter immune function is still not well understood.…”