scholarly journals Physical activity, immunity and infection

2010 ◽  
Vol 69 (3) ◽  
pp. 390-399 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Romeo ◽  
J. Wärnberg ◽  
T. Pozo ◽  
A. Marcos

During the last few decades, scientific evidence has confirmed a wide range of health benefits related to regular physical activity. How physical activity affects the immune function and infection risk is, however, still under debate. Commonly, intensive exercise suppresses the activity and levels of several immune cells, while other immune functions may be stimulated by moderate physical activity. With this knowledge, the understanding of the relationship between different levels of physical activity on the immune function has been raised as a potential tool to protect health not only in athletes but also in the general population; the mechanisms that translate a physically active lifestyle into good health continue to be investigated. Reviewing the literature, although several outcomes (i.e. the mechanisms by which different levels and duration of physical activity programmes affect numerous cell types and responses) remain unclear, given that the additional benefits encompass healthy habits including exercise, the use of physical activity programmes may result in improved health of elderly populations. Moderate physical activity or moderate–regulated training may enhance the immune function mainly in less fit subjects or sedentary population and the pre-event fitness status also seems to be an important individual factor regarding this relationship. Although adequate nutrition and regular physical activity habits may synergistically improve health, clinical trials in athletes using nutritional supplements to counteract the immune suppression have been inconclusive so far.Further research is necessary to find out to what extent physical activity training can exert an effect on the immune function.

1999 ◽  
Vol 2 (3a) ◽  
pp. 383-390 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rainer Rauramaa ◽  
SB Väisänen

AbstractRegular moderate intensity physical activity and habitual diet providing no more than one third of energy from fats have been recommended for the prevention of atherosclerotic diseases. The background for these guidelines is the key role of plasma lipids. However, the importance of thrombogenesis in acute myocardial infarction has become obvious during the last decade. Hyperlipidaemia and excess of adipose tissue increase platelet aggregability and blood coagulation, and decrease fibrinolysis. Both regular physical activity and dietary fat reduction decrease blood lipids and body fat thereby diminishing the risk of thrombosis. Currently, data on interactions between physical activity and diet on haemostasis are scarce, and the few studies available have not demonstrated additional effects when these two lifestyle modifications have been combined. This paper is restricted only to studies using controlled randomized design. Regular moderate intensity physical activity as well as diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids decrease platelet aggregability. The effects of regular physical activity on plasma fibrinogen remain contradictory, while the impact of diet is even less clear. Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, a possible link between insulin resistance syndrome and coronary heart disease, may decrease due to physical training or low fat diet. It can be hypothesized that moderation in physical activity and diet carries a more powerful impact on blood coagulation and fibrinolysis than either lifestyle modification alone. Studies focusing on the interactions of regular moderate physical activity and fat-modified diet are needed in efforts to optimize the preventive actions by lifestyle changes.


2001 ◽  
Vol 4 (2b) ◽  
pp. 517-528 ◽  
Author(s):  
IM Vuori

AbstractRegular physical activity causes numerous and substantial performance-improving And health-enhancing effects. Most of them are highly predictable, dose-dependent and generalizable to a wide range of population groups. Many of the biological effects of regular, moderate physical activity translate into substantially reduced risk of coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, hypertension, maturity onset diabetes, overweight and obesity, and osteoporosis. These effects also substantially reduce the risk of deterioration of functional capacity. In the genesis of these conditions, alack of physical activity and inadequate nutrition act synergistically and in part additively, and they operate largely through the same pathways. It is conceivable to suggest that the prevalence of, e.g, the above mentioned metabolic diseases is so high in Europe largely because of the high prevalence of sedentariness and inadequate nutrition. Thus, both physical activity and nutrition have to be given strong emphasis in policies, strategies and programmes that will be developed and implemented for improving the health of Europeans.


2021 ◽  
Vol 55 (1) ◽  
pp. 7-17
Author(s):  
Mihaela Jurdana

AbstractBackgroundScientific evidence has shown that an increase in regular physical activity is associated with a decrease in the development of many types of cancer. Potential mechanisms that link physical activity to reduced cancer risk include a decrease in systemic inflammation, hyperinsulinemia, insulin-like growth factor (IGF-I), sex hormones, pro-inflammatory leptin and other obesity-related cytokines, and a significant increase in anti-inflammatory adiponectin levels. In addition, physical activity improves immune function and the composition and diversity of the gastrointestinal microbiota. Moderate physical activity is important for cancer protection, but the most significant changes in the inflammatory profile are conferred by physical activity performed at higher intensities. Thus, there is a need for further investigation into the type, intensity, and duration of physical activity for the prevention of some types of cancer and the development of effective recommendations.ConclusionsThere is a strong evidence that physical activity of moderate to vigorous intensity protects against colon and breast cancer, and probably against cancer at all other sites.


2016 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 99-110 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sean M. Tweedy ◽  
Emma M. Beckman ◽  
Leanne M. Johnston ◽  
Mark J. Connick

This paper investigates the premise that long-term engagement in performance-focussed sports training may lead to significantly enhanced clinical outcomes for people with neurological impairments (NI). The minimum volume of moderate-intensity activity recommended for good health is 450 MET.minutes/week, although evidence from the general population indicates that outcomes may be enhanced by completing up to five times this volume (2250 MET.minutes/week) at vigorous (rather than moderate) intensity. Most studies evaluating physical activity interventions for people with NI deliver low volumes (<450 MET.minutes/week), which may explain why evidence for some clinical outcomes is weak. Athletes (with or without NI) who aim to achieve high-level sports performance undertake an increasingly large volume of vigorous intensity physical activity over several seasons. Evidence that people with NI may enhance clinical outcomes through performance-focussed sports training includes: evidence from studies investigating the benefits of high-intensity and/or high volume clinical exercise; scientific evidence from elite/high-level athletes; and anecdotal evidence from Paralympic athlete testimonials. Additionally, sports participants with NI may also accrue an important array of psychosocial benefits, including higher rates of employment, and higher satisfaction with life and social integration. Rigorous, prospective, longitudinal clinical monitoring of people with NI undertaking performance-focussed sports training are required to evaluate its clinical utility.


2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 208-214
Author(s):  
Michel Probst

Physiotherapy in mental health care and psychiatry is recognized by the World Confederation for Physical Therapy (WCPT) as a specialty within physiotherapy. Physiotherapy in mental health offers a wide range of interventions in regard of body functions, physical activity, exercises, sensory, body and movement awareness, stress and tense regulation and pain management, based on clinical and scientific evidence-based literature. Additionally, the promotion of a healthy lifestyle and “physio-education” (i.e. the process of providing education and information regarding specific physiotherapy related topics to patients and their family members) should be a responsibility of the physiotherapist. This paper gives a short overview of the interventions in the field of mental health to offer appropriate care to a specific vulnerable but growing group in our society.


2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 102-111
Author(s):  
Ivan Borisovich Sivachenko ◽  
Dmitrii Stanislavovich Medvedev ◽  
Anna Nikolaevna Pavlova

Background. In view of the continuous increase in the importance of information technologies in all spheres of society, the problem of the effect of significant cognitive loads that accompany information stress becomes extremely urgent. The article presents an analysis of studies (2018–2019) on resistance to cognitive loads in males with different levels of physical activity. Aim. The article aims to evaluate the dynamics of psychophysiological reactions to cognitive load in males with different levels of physical activity. Materials and methods. Regulatory mechanisms were assessed using the index of functional changes. The simulated load consisted in the Gorbov–Schulte table to be made in the conditions of time deficit, increased motivation and interference. Continuous recording of vascular tone, vascular blood flow, heart rate, electrical skin activity was performed. It is established that a different level of physical activity is specifically associated with the adaptation of a person to a significant cognitive load. Results. The dynamics of skin electrical activity, heart rate, vascular tone and vascular blood flow in people with moderate physical activity reflects optimal reactions to load. Conclusion. Persons systematically involved in physical activity in these conditions have a higher adaptive capacity of the vascular part in comparison with professional athletes and people not engaged in physical activity.


2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Frauke Wichmann ◽  
Tilman Brand ◽  
Dirk Gansefort ◽  
Ingrid Darmann-Finck

Abstract Background A sufficient amount of regular moderate physical activity (PA), at least 2.5 h of moderate to vigorous PA per week as recommended by the WHO, is one of the most important lifestyle factors for maintaining good health in old age. However, less than one in four older adults (65 years or older) in Germany meets this recommendation for PA. Although previous research has found several factors related to participation in PA programmes, little is known about how these factors simultaneously affect participation decisions of older adults and how PA programmes can accommodate these dynamics. Taking an everyday life perspective, this study aimed to identify multidimensional types of PA behaviour among older adults. Methods In this qualitative study, 25 episodic interviews were conducted with participants and non-participants (ratio 1:3) of a structured PA intervention for older adults (65 years or older). Direct and indirect recruitment methods (e.g. pick up, gatekeeper) were used in different municipalities in Northwest Germany. The interviews were analysed according to the Grounded Theory methodology and a typology of PA participation behaviour was derived from the responses of the interviewees. Results Four types of PA participation behaviour were identified based on different activity goals and time management preferences: ‘Health designer’, ‘Flexible function-oriented type’, ‘Comparison and competition type’ and ‘Fun and wellness-oriented type’. The results indicate that the structured PA intervention was better able to reach the health designer and the competitive type but was less successful in accommodating the function- or wellness-oriented type. Conclusions In order to improve older adults’ participation in PA, preventive offers should take various activity goals and the desire for flexible time management in everyday life into account. The typology of PA participation behaviour contributes to a better understanding of the target group and can thus help to improve the development, communication and implementation of tailored PA interventions.


Nutrients ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 350
Author(s):  
Paweł Jagielski ◽  
Edyta Łuszczki ◽  
Dominika Wnęk ◽  
Agnieszka Micek ◽  
Izabela Bolesławska ◽  
...  

The numerous consequences of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in healthy young people and the lack of clarity as to the long-term disease outcomes have spurred the search for risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 infection. We aimed to evaluate the associations of nutritional behaviors, gut microbiota, and physical activity with the risk of COVID-19 in healthy young nonobese people. Data on body composition, anthropometric measurements, physical activity, dietary intake, and gut microbiota were obtained from 95 adults (mean age, 34.66 ± 5.76 years). A balanced diet rich in vegetables and fruit, including nuts, wholegrain cereal products, and legumes, covers the need for vitamins and minerals. Such a diet can be an effective measure to reduce the risk of COVID-19 in nonobese healthy physically active young people with normal immune function. People with balanced diet and an average daily consumption of >500 g of vegetables and fruit and >10 g of nuts had an 86% lower risk of COVID-19 compared with those whose diet was not balanced and who consumed lower amounts of these products. It is well documented that proper nutrition, physical activity, and maintenance of normal weight facilitate good health by ensuring optimal immune function. The beneficial effects of these interventions should be strongly emphasized during the COVID-19 pandemic.


2016 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-81 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chun-Hao Wang ◽  
Chia-Liang Tsai

The study aimed to investigate the effects of regular physical activity on visuospatial cognition in elderly adults, and to further understand the potential neural mechanisms underpinning such effects. We assessed 24 physically active elderly adults and 24 sedentary counterparts using behavioral and neuroelectric measures during a visuospatial cognitive task with different levels of cognitive load. The results showed that the active group had higher behavioral accuracy along with greater P3 amplitudes, regardless of the level of cognitive load. Moreover, the correlation results revealed that physical activity levels were positively associated with accuracy performance in both conditions, while being correlated with frontal P3 amplitudes in the high cognitively demanding condition. However, no significant effects were observed in terms of P3 latency and contingent negative variation. These findings suggest that regular physical activity might be part of an effective lifestyle to attenuate the trajectory of age-related cognitive declines, thus increasing the likelihood of individuals becoming high-functioning older adults.


2011 ◽  
Vol 52 (9) ◽  
pp. 1020-1023 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arash Ehteshami Rad ◽  
Leigh A Gray ◽  
Mehrsheed Sinaki ◽  
David F Kallmes

Background Increased mobility and physical activity after successful vertebral augmentation procedure might increase the risk of new-onset fractures. Purpose To determine whether new-onset fracture following vertebroplasty is associated with specific type of physical activity. Material and Methods A total of 107 patients underwent at least two procedures of percutaneous vertebroplasty. Among them, 30 patients who sustained a post-vertebroplasty fracture(s), were stratified by fracture-causing activity and examined the incidence of the initial and post-vertebroplasty fractures, time to post-vertebroplasty fractures, duration of anti-osteoporotic therapy, T-score, and body mass index. Results The following percentages correspond to patients with fractures sustained pre- and post-vertebroplasty, respectively; spontaneous fractures in 17% and 7% ( P = 0.20), sitting in 7% and 3% ( P = 0.50), walking or standing in 7% and 20% ( P = 0.10), housework in 3% and 3% ( P > 0.99), coughing or sneezing in 0% and 20% ( P = 0.003), exercise in 7% and 17% ( P = 0.20), lifting in 10% and 17% ( P = 0.40) and falling in 50% and 13% ( P = 0.002). Different levels of activity were not significantly associated with time to incidence of post-vertebroplasty fractures. Anti-osteoporotic medications were administered to 33% of patients before vertebroplasty and 37% after the vertebroplasty ( P = 0.78); medications were administered to these groups for 16 and 25 months, respectively ( P = 0.39). Conclusion A significantly elevated risk of new onset fracture with increased physical activity was not identified. However, patients should be carefully counseled after vertebroplasty to optimize medical therapy for osteoporosis and also to use extreme care when engaging in even moderate physical activity.


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