Neutralizing a Springboard for Inflammation: Physical Activity to Control the Immune Network

Abstract

The severe consequences of the present Corona Virus Disease 2019 COVID-19 pandemic seem to be closely related to an already ongoing (‘first’) pandemic, directly associated with a sedentary lifestyle. It seems evident that the prognosis after infection is substantially worse for individuals suffering from, for example, (visceral) obesity, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes type 2. Consequently, it may be considered highly relevant to gain insight into the potential beneficial effects of exercise interventions to strengthen the immune system, particularly in high-risk populations. For this reason, the exercise protocols that are suggested to strengthen the immune system, which can be executed by all ages and almost all physical conditions, were reviewed and evaluated. Previously published protocols range from interrupting prolonged sitting, to regular low-to-moderate exercise activities, to high intensity, typically interval, sports formats. Reported positive effects on immune functioning appear to be induced either directly or via beneficial metabolic and/or psychological effects and become measurable after 3 weeks to 3 months. Based in these findings, it appeared possible to design an optimal exercise protocol to maximize effects on immune functioning that should be executable for all, even under restricted (‘lockdown’) circumstances.

Blood Profiling of Athletes after COVID-19: Differences in Blood Profiles of Post-COVID-19 Athletes Compared to Uninfected Athletic Individuals—An Exploratory Analysis

“…Although the positive health effect of regular physical exercise on immune function is well known [11], the "athletic population" compromises only a minor percentage of the world-wide population [12]. As consequence, the pandemic has led to medical studies mostly focusing on the general population, which has tendencies toward highly sedentary lifestyles, obesity, and cardiovascular disease burdens, and this generalizes study results for COVID-19 without discriminating between regular exercising individuals and sedentary ones.…”