Moderate-intensity exercise reduces inflammation and improves the immune response to respiratory viral infections. Acute and chronic moderate exercise induces a level of stress hormones that downregulates excessive inflammation within the respiratory tract and aids in activating innate antiviral immunity.
Prolonged intense exercise may do this as well but may shift the balance too much, actually allowing the virus to gain a better foothold and cause greater pathology. Further research is necessary to examine cellular and molecular mechanisms through which exercise modulates immune function.
Based on the available evidence, moderate-intensity exercise training should be used as an adjunct to other preventive measures against respiratory tract viral infection.
Exercise and Sport Sciences Reviews
Steve - those who train for marathons, but have no intention of making it their profession, should take a look at this study.
Monday, October 19, 2009
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