We highlight the impact of these different exercise modes on immunological parameters, such as cytokine and lymphocyte concentration in elderly individuals.ĭeterioration of the immune system with age is mostly due to biological factors such as genetics and interactions with environmental factors (like exposure to infectious agents, including CMV or cytomegalovirus) imposing metabolic alterations caused by unhealthy lifestyles (poor exercise, inadequate diet) and prolonged physiological stress ( 2, 3).Īging primarily influences immunity through changes in thymus structure and activity (i.e., thymus atrophy) and reduction of primary lymphopoiesis ( 4, 5). In this context, we take a top-down approach and review the effect of exercise and training on immunological parameters in elderly at rest and during exercise in humans, and how they respond to different modes of training. The concept is that some lifestyle strategies such as high-intensity exercise training may prevent disease through the attenuation of immunosenescence.
This review focuses on the potential for exercise training to affect the aging immune system. Research conducted to date has primarily focused on aerobic and resistance exercise training and its effect on immunity. However, the majority of previous work has focused on either a pathological population or healthy young adults whilst research in elderly populations is scarce. Numerous studies on physical activity and immunity, with focus on special populations (i.e., people with diabetes, HIV patients) demonstrate that chronic exercise enhances immunity. During the last century, sedentarism rose dramatically, with a concomitant increase in certain type of cancers (such as breast cancer, colon, or prostate cancer), and autoimmune disease. Furthermore, increased risk of autoimmune disease and chronic infection is increased with an aging immune system, which is characterized by a pro-inflammatory environment, ultimately leading to accelerated biological aging. Moreover, these alterations decrease the response to pathogens, which leads to several age-related diseases including cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer's disease, and diabetes in older individuals. Immunosenescence affects function and phenotype of immune cells, such as expression and function of receptors for immune cells which contributes to loss of immune function (chemotaxis, intracellular killing). Immunosenescence is characterized by deterioration of the immune system caused by aging which induces changes to innate and adaptive immunity. 7Department of Health Sciences (DISSAL), Postgraduate School of Public Health, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.5Cellular and Molecular Immunology Research Center, London Metropolitan University, London, United Kingdom.4Active Ageing Research Group, Department of Medical and Sport Sciences, University of Cumbria, Lancaster, United Kingdom.3School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.2Higher Institute of Sport and Physical Education of Ksar Said, Mannouba, Tunisia.1Sport Science Program (SSP), College of Arts and Sciences (QU-CAS), University of Qatar, Doha, Qatar.Hayes 4, Dan Stratton 5, Johnny Padulo 6 and Nicola Bragazzi 7 * Maha Sellami 1, Maha Gasmi 2, Joshua Denham 3, Lawrence D.
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