ABSTRACT
Most studies have focused on the acute and chronic effects of various exercise workloads on the immune system and immunosurveillance against pathogens. For the practicing physician, two areas of investigation from exercise immunology have the greatest clinical and public health implications: chronic anti-inflammatory influence of exercise training and reduction in risk of upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) from regular, moderate exercise training. Regular physical activity should be combined with other lifestyle strategies to more effectively reduce URTI risk. Acute inflammation is a normal response of the immune system to infection and trauma. When successful, exercise training may exert anti-inflammatory influences through a reduction in visceral fat mass and the induction of an acute anti-inflammatory environment with each bout of exercise that over time becomes chronic. Several lines of evidence support the link between moderate physical activity and improved immunity and lowered infection rates.
