Immunological Implications of Physical Inactivity among Older Adults during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Social distancing has been adopted worldwide to control severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) transmission. Social isolation is likely to lead to a decline in physical activity, which could result in immune system dysfunction, thereby increasing infection susceptibility and exacerbating the pathophysiology of conditions that are common among older adults, including cardiovascular disease, cancer, and inflammatory disorders. Older adults and people living with these comorbidities are at a greater risk for complications during coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In this review, we discuss the negative impact of physical inactivity on immune function and showcase evidence that regular physical activity may be an effective strategy to counter some of the deleterious effects of social isolation. Furthermore, we briefly highlight key research questions in exercise immunology, with a focus on older adults in the context of COVID-19. Although it is worth emphasizing that there is no direct evidence that physical activity can prevent or treat COVID-19, promoting an active lifestyle is a key intervention to counteract the effects of social isolation, especially in older adults and other at-risk individuals, such as those living with chronic diseases associated with ageing and lifestyle.

Physical exercise as a tool to help the immune system against COVID-19: an integrative review of the current literature

“…Therefore, for the elderly population, physical activity is even more essential, as these individuals generally have greater comorbidities and, in relation to the new coronavirus, are more vulnerable to contracting the disease [69]. Damiot et al [70] suggested that individuals who have remained active throughout their lives have less pronounced immunosenescence characteristics, which may be a possible protective factor against the development of complications caused by In this sense, beneficial effects of regular physical exercise have been reported in the elderly population, including reduction in oxidative stress, improvement in immune competence and reduction in cellular changes related to immunosenescence [13,16]. Elderly individuals who maintain continued physical activity have levels of TCD4 + and TCD8 + lymphocytes similar to younger individuals, in addition to not having harmful defects in the recruitment of lymphocytes during the infectious process [58].…”

“…A low presence of circulating pro-inflammatory cytokines is observed in contrast to the increase in anti-inflammatory cytokines. Thus, there are positive changes in the immune system of these individuals, including enhancements in host response and vaccine immunoprotection [70].…”

“…Therefore, for the elderly population, physical activity is even more essential, as these individuals generally have greater comorbidities and, in relation to the new coronavirus, are more vulnerable to contracting the disease [ 69 ]. Damiot et al [ 70 ] suggested that individuals who have remained active throughout their lives have less pronounced immunosenescence characteristics, which may be a possible protective factor against the development of complications caused by COVID-19.…”

COVID-19: A Challenge to Physiology of Aging

“…The most convenient of such interventions are not the still underdeveloped regimens of using the anti-aging drugs according to the “geroscience” agenda ( Nir Barzilai et al, 2020 ; Promislow, 2020 ), but the immediately available commencing to adequate physical and mental activities ( Thune and Furberg, 2001 ; Gleeson et al, 2011 ; Lee et al, 2017 ; Celis-Morales et al, 2019 ; Kenyon, 2020 ; Neto et al, 2020 ) and involvement in social interactions ( Yang et al, 2016 ; Kikusui, 2018 ; Banerjee et al, 2020 ; Santini et al, 2020 ). Physical exercises are clearly beneficial for endothelial functions, including those that hinge on the nitric oxide (see above) and RASs ( Evangelista, 2020 ), as well as for immunity ( Damiot et al, 2020 ). Specific regimens of exercises accounting for the peculiarities of the current epidemiological situation are being developed and tested ( Dominski and Brandt, 2020 ; Ravalli and Musumeci, 2020 ; Zhu, 2020 ).…”

Mental Health Of The Older People During Covid-19 Pandemic

“…This constant flow of information about the Pandemic could be a source of anxiety and stress for the aged. The older people's continual exposure to the daily news as the media houses announce the mortality rate makes it uncomfortable for them, resulting in anxiety (Damiot et al, 2020). This constant information could also cause sleep disturbance and low mood among elderly individuals, which could have a detrimental effect on life quality.…”