How Regular Exercise Can Influence the Immune System

How Regular Exercise Can Influence the Immune System

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How Regular Exercise Can Influence the Immune System

A strong immune system means the body has better chances of fighting the latest viruses and germs, which protects the person from seasonal bugs such as the flu. A strong immune system makes a person less likely to catch quick-spreading viruses. Exercise reduces the chances of heart problems and also keeps bones strong and healthy.

Regular exercise influences the immune system in numerous ways. Exercise helps in lowering the white blood cells. Lowering them is essential, as having a high white blood cell count has been linked with inflammation. It also points to a health condition such as coronary disease. Additionally, research posits exercising regularly helps to caution the immune system from aging. Moreover, the aging effect is often greatest among the elderly, which explains why exercise is more beneficial for people in their later years.

Regular exercise has also been found to positively affect chronic inflammation. Chronic inflammation is long-lasting inflammation that takes place because of factors such as smoking and poor diet (Peake, Neubauer, Walsh, & Simpson, 2017). Chronic inflammation also puts the client at more risk of having major health conditions such as cancer and diabetes. Research further shows that obesity inhibits immune functions. In part, this is due to obesity’s link with chronic inflammation. Regular exercise helps keep a healthy weight, reducing body inflammation and decreasing associated risks. Regular exercise is also helpful in helping the body fight infections. The high temperatures during and after a workout is helpful as it keeps bacteria from growing. Exercise also slows down the release of stress hormones. Stress tends to increase the chances of illness. Low-stress hormones protect individuals against illness.

References

Peake, J. M., Neubauer, O., Walsh, N. P., & Simpson, R. J. (2017). Recovery of the immune system after exercise. Journal of Applied Physiology, 122(5), 1077-1087.