Effect of regular physical activity on the immune system, vaccination and risk of community-acquired infections in the general population: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Chastin, SFM, Abaraogu, U., Bourgois, JG etal. Impact of regular physical activity on the immune system, vaccination and risk of community-acquired infections in the general population: a systematic review and meta-analysis. SportsMed (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-021-01466-1

Commentary

Regular physical activity is a major preventive for many non-communicable diseases; COVID-19 is considered to be in that category, but there is no quantitative evidence of physical strength or

This study investigated the association between habitual physical activity and risk of community-acquired infections, laboratory-assessed immune parameters, and immune response to vaccination.

Results showed that those who engaged in higher levels of habitual physical activity had a 31% reduced risk of community-acquired infections (hazard ratio 0.69, 95% CI 0.61-0.78; six studies, N = 557,487), a 37% risk reduction (hazard ratio 0.64, 95% CI for mortality from infections 0.59-0.70, 4 studies, N = 422,813).

It was found that the physical activity intervention increased CD4 cell count (32 cells/μL, 95% CI 7-56 cells/μL, 24 studies, N = 1112 individuals) salivary immunoglobulin IgA concentration (standardized mean difference 0.756, 95% CI 0.146-1.365). have been found to be increased. Furthermore, it has been stated as a possibility that antibody concentration values after vaccination may be higher with the use of a supplementary physical activity program. (Standardized mean difference 0.142, 95% CI 0.021-0.262, 6 studies, N = 497).

These results explain the conclusion regular and moderate engagement in vigorous physical activity is associated with a lower risk of community-acquired infections and death from infectious diseases.