COVID-19: sitting is the new smoking; the role of exercise in augmenting the immune system among the elderly

Abstract

Introduction: Like smoking, sedentary lifestyle is an issue of great concern because of its deleterious health challenges and implications. Given the global spread of the new coronavirus (COVID-19), social isolation regulations and laws have been implemented in many countries to contain the spread of the virus and this has caused a drastic shift from the usual physically demanding life to a sedentary lifestyle characterized by significantly reduced physical activities and prolong sitting.
 Methods/Data Source: Human and nonhuman primate literature was examined to compare experimental and clinical modulation of inflammatory cytokines by exercised-induced myokines.
 Data synthesis: Experimental and clinical evidence was used to examine whether exercised-induced myokines can prime the immune system of the elderly population during the COVID-19 pandemic.
 Conclusion: The immune system changes with advancement in age which increases the likelihood of infectious disease morbidity and mortality in older adults. Several epidemiological studies have also shown that physical inactivity among geri- atric population impacts negatively on the immune system. Evidences on the importance of exercise in priming the immune system of elderly individuals could be an effective therapeutic strategy in combating the virus as it may well be a case of “let those with the best immune system win”.
 Keywords: Exercise; immune system; sedentary lifestyle; myokines.

Impacto da pandemia da covid-19 no estilo de vida dos idosos: uma revisão integrativa

“…O sedentarismo e a má qualidade de vida do público idoso, sofreu um grande aumento e gerou para o mesmo aumento na probabilidade de depressão e ansiedade, além de favorecer diminuição da eficácia do sistema imunológico (17,18). Já o exercício físico aumenta a atividade eficiente do sistema imunológico, despertando a importância para a necessidade de promover atividade física entre os idosos (18).…”

Health Support for At-Risk Older Adults during COVID-19

“…2 & 3. Generalized Estimating Equations with multinomial distribution and cumulative log link for estimating a population-level, marginal D-I-D model. 4. Generalized Estimating Equations with binomial distribution and identity link for estimating a population-level marginal D-I-D model.…”

“…A higher percentage of older adults reporting no physical activity in the last 30 days were more likely to report a fall [ 3 ]. Research has also shown that physical inactivity weakens the immune system of older adults, making them more susceptible to infection [ 4 ]. Further, a lack of physical activity is important for older adults to maintain their independence and ability to perform activities of daily living and the authors suggest that health knowledge may encourage physical activity [ 5 ].…”

Elderly Problems During COVID-19: A Narrative Review

“…In a paper with the interesting title "COVID-19 sitting is the new smoking", a review of studies revealed that more activity during COVID-19 was associated with fewer falls, less osteoarthritis and cancer, decreases in depression and anxiety, decreases in inflammatory markers including IL-6, TNF-alpha and C-reactive protein as well as an increase in IL-6, IL-15 and brain derived neurotrophic factor (Tokunbo et al, 2021). The authors interpret the paradoxical finding that IL-6 was both a proinflammatory and an anti-inflammatory by saying that IL-6 can be considered pro-inflammatory if expressed by macrophages and antiinflammatory if expressed by muscle cells.…”

“…Surprisingly, one of the most popular activities of the elderly, namely tai chi, was not mentioned. Importantly, in a review on inactivity in the elderly, activity was noted for its significant role in reducing inflammatory markers including IL-6, TNF-alpha and C-reactive protein, markers that have been associated with COVID-19 (Tokunbo et al, 2021).…”