Abstract
Regular physical exercise is associated with increased longevity and a lower risk of developing several age-associated diseases. In addition, regular exercise has been purported as a simple lifestyle intervention to counteract the deleterious effects of age-associated changes in immunity known as immunosenescence. Etiology of immunosenescence is multifaceted and can impact on both arms of the immune system. Since 1990, several longitudinal ageing studies using aerobic- and/or resistance-based exercise provided growing information on the benefits of exercise in both innate immunity and adaptive immunity. Regular exercise can improve responses to vaccines, NK-cell function, neutrophil phagocytic activity, and T-cell proliferation. It also reduces circulatory inflammatory mediators and inflammatory response to bacterial challenge. These findings provide a strong indication that habitual exercise has immune regulatory properties and may help delay the onset of immunosenescence.
Original language | English (US) |
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Title of host publication | Immunology of Aging |
Publisher | Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg |
Pages | 369-397 |
Number of pages | 29 |
ISBN (Electronic) | 9783642394959 |
ISBN (Print) | 3642394949, 9783642394942 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jan 1 2014 |
Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Medicine