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Researchers Recommend Exercise During the Pandemic

More experts promote exercise, particularly for older adults, to boost immune defenses.

exercise and immunity

Remind everyone that staying active regularly, regardless of age, is a great way to boost immune defenses. Studies demonstrate that people with higher levels of cardiorespiratory fitness and those who exercise at moderate-to-vigorous intensity levels can improve immune responses to vaccination and reduce low-grade chronic inflammation. University of Arizona faculty, from the Department of Immunobiology in Tucson, note that while exercise may not prevent people from developing COVID-19, evidence from other viral infections indicates that physically active people may experience less severe symptoms, have shorter recovery times and be less likely to infect others.

UA authors point out that while older adults are at higher risk during the pandemic, those who stay active may have a better response to the COVID-19 vacccine, once it is available. There is evidence that this has been the case with both influenza and pneumococcal vaccines in the past.

The viewpoint appeared in Brain, Behavior, and Immunity (2020; doi:10.1016/j.bbi.2020.04.041).


Shirley Eichenberger-Archer, JD, MA

Shirley Archer, JD, MA, is an internationally acknowledged integrative health and mindfulness specialist, best-selling author of 16 fitness and wellness books translated into multiple languages and sold worldwide, award-winning health journalist, contributing editor to Fitness Journal, media spokesperson, and IDEA's 2008 Fitness Instructor of the Year. She's a 25-year industry veteran and former health and fitness educator at the Stanford Prevention Research Center, who has served on multiple industry committees and co-authored trade books and manuals for ACE, ACSM and YMCA of the USA. She has appeared on TV worldwide and was a featured trainer on America's Next Top Model.

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