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Exercise and the Immune System Dr. Kyle Coffey

Exercise and the Immune System Dr. Kyle Coffey. Week 6. Immune System. Cellular and chemical components Overlapping protection against infectious agents Innate immune system Acquired immune system Adaptive or specific immune system. Innate Immune System.

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Exercise and the Immune System Dr. Kyle Coffey

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  1. Exercise and the Immune SystemDr. Kyle Coffey Week 6

  2. Immune System • Cellular and chemical components • Overlapping protection against infectious agents • Innateimmune system • Acquiredimmune system • Adaptive or specific immune system

  3. Innate Immune System • Non-specific, made up of diverse protein and cellular elements • Physical barriers • Skin and mucosa • Phagocytes • Macrophages • Located in tissues • Produce cytokines that stimulate the immune response • Neutrophils • Exit the blood to enter tissues • Natural killer cells • Destroy viruses, bacteria, and cancer cells • Give off cytokines

  4. Components of Innate Immunity

  5. Innate Immunity System • Complement System • Numerous proteins that circulate the blood in inactive forms • 20 produced primarily by liver and present in high concentrations in blood and tissues • Attach to surface of foreign agent • Destroys bacteria by making hole in surface • Tags surface of bacteria • Identifies it to phagocytes • Serves as chemo-attractant • Recruits other immune cells

  6. Acquired Immune System • Adaptive immune response • Recognize and remember certain pathogens • Major cells • B cells • B lymphocytes • T cells • T lymphocytes

  7. B Cells • B cells • Secrete antibodies • Fight both viral and bacterial • Antibodies • Proteins manufactured to help fight antigens (foreign infiltrates) • Also called immunoglobulins • IgG, IgA, IgM, IgD, IgE • Fight against foreign antigens • Antigens • Stimulate the immune system to produce antibodies

  8. T Cells • T cells • Do not produce antibodies but recognize protein antigens • Mature in the thymus • Killer T cells • Cytotoxic T cells • Kill virus-infected cells • Helper T cells • Secrete cytokines that enhance immune response • Regulatory T cells • Prevent immune system from attacking normal body antigens

  9. Exercise and Resistance to Infection • Relative new area of study • J-shaped curve • Exercise has positive and negative effect • People who engage in regular moderate exercise are at lower risk of URTI • Risk is higher in people who engage in intense and/or long-duration exercise and people who do not exercise

  10. J-Shaped Model of Exercise and Risk of URTI

  11. Moderate Aerobic Exercise Protects against Infection • Regular exercise reduces risk of URTI 18–67% • 20–40 min of exercise at 40–60% VO2 max is sufficient • Occurs in both men and women of all ages • Mechanisms • Exercise causes boosts innate immune system (blood levels) • Natural killer cells and neutrophils • Returns to normal level in ~3 hours • Other factors associated with exercise • Less emotional stress (psychological) • Better nutrition • Adequate sleep • Unclear if resistance exercise provides same level of protection against infection

  12. High-Intensity/Long Duration Aerobic Exercise Increases Risk of Infection • Prolonged exercise has depressive effect on immune system • Decreased levels of B cells, T cells, and natural killer cells • Decreased natural killer cell activity and T cell function • Decreased nasal neutrophil phagocytosis • Decreased nasal and salivary IgA (antibody) • Increased pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines • “Open window” of increased risk of infection • May be caused by high cortisol levels • May also be due to other factors • Lack of sleep, mental stress, increased exposure to pathogens • Concern for athletes because it can impair performance and ability to sustain intense exercise training

  13. Open Window Theory

  14. Exercise in Extreme Environments and Risk for Infection • Exercise in hot environment • Elevated levels of cortisol compared to cool environment • No impairment of immune function • Exercise in the cold • Does not have negative effect on immune system • Exercise at high altitude (>6000 feet) • Increased levels of cortisol • Does not impair immune function in the lab • In the field, increased risk of URTI at high altitude

  15. Exercising with a Cold • Okay to exercise if cold symptoms are above the neck • Runny nose, nasal congestion, mild sore throat • Reduce intensity/duration of workout • Should not exercise if symptoms are below the neck • Chest congestion, cough, stomach pain • Do not exercise with: • Fever • Fatigue • Widespread muscle aches • Should reduce intensity of workout during a cold and avoid high intensity/long-duration workouts

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