Authors: Lara Brauer, Karsten Krüger, Christopher Weyh, Katharina Alack (2021)
Published in: Immuno
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/immuno1030009
Objective:
To understand how regular exercise affects aging in the immune system, especially how it changes the types and function of white blood cells (leukocytes) in older adults.
Key Findings:
· Exercise helps maintain younger immune cells:
o People who exercise have more “naïve” T-cells (young, healthy immune cells that respond to new infections).
o They also have fewer “senescent” (old and worn out) immune cells.
· Endurance exercise is more helpful than resistance training:
o Activities like walking, running, or biking showed better immune cell changes than weight training.
o Endurance training reduced harmful cells more consistently.
· Moderate exercise is better than intense workouts:
o High-intensity training may stress the immune system and increase harmful immune cells.
o Moderate exercise seems to help reduce inflammation and protect immune strength.
· Exercise improves immune balance:
o Regular movement boosts good immune cell activity, lowers stress hormones, and reduces inflammation markers like TNF-α and IL-6.
· Lifestyle matters:
o People who were active for many years had better immune systems than those who were not.
o Telomeres (protective parts of DNA linked to aging) were longer in active people, suggesting slower aging of immune cells.
· Women were studied more than men in resistance training studies, but results were unclear.
o Sex differences may affect how exercise influences the immune system, but more research is needed.
Conclusion:
· Physical activity can slow down aging in the immune system.
· Moderate endurance exercise is most helpful for reducing harmful immune cells and keeping good ones healthy.
· Resistance training is less consistent, but moderate strength training may still help.
· Staying active over time is key to keeping your immune system younger and stronger.
· More research is needed to figure out the best types and amounts of exercise for healthy immune aging.
Disclaimer:
This summary is for educational purposes only and does not provide medical advice. Always talk to your doctor before starting or changing your exercise routine, especially if you have health issues.
Brauer, L.; Krüger, K.; Weyh, C.; Alack, K. The Effects of Physical Activity on the Aging of Circulating Immune Cells in Humans: A Systematic Review. Immuno 2021, 1, 132-159. https://doi.org/10.3390/immuno1030009
