ABSTRACT
This chapter addresses the influence of moderate exercise training on inflammation, wound healing, and the efficacy of vaccines. Acute exercise induces transient changes to circulating immune cells, and some of these changes may be related to the fitness of the individual. The influence of chronic exercise on innate and adaptive immunity will be reviewed along with the effect of excessive exercise training on selected immune parameters and resistance to infection. Leukocytes are circulating cells of the immune and lymphatic systems derived from bone marrow hematopoietic stem cells, which are collectively responsible for mounting an immune response. Monocytes are circulating cells that have both innate and adaptive immune functions. Natural killer cells are cytotoxic lymphocytes and a major constituent of the innate immune system. They protect against certain tumors and virally infected cells by releasing granules containing proteases and porins that induce apoptosis in the target cell. Neutrophils are polymorphononuclear cells and are the most abundant leukocyte subtype.
