Can regular exercise be as effective as a vaccine?
Okay, maybe not as effective, but new evidence does suggest that it may provide a protective effect against getting seriously ill with influenza. The preliminary link between regular exercise and stronger immune systems was found recently by researchers after reviewing the studies of 16 people who maintained a regular exercise regimen throughout the pandemic.
They found that regular exercise resulted in a lower risk of COVID-19 infection, as well as less severe symptoms.
We know, we know. Exercise as medicine isn’t new. In fact, decades of research do suggest that people who are physically active seem to report lower rates of several respiratory tract infections and when they do get sick, experience less severe disease.
But researchers are excited that the more definitive findings could lead to updated guidelines for healthcare polity.
“The risk of severe outcomes and mortality from the common cold, influenza, pneumonia – they’re all knocked down quite a bit,” said David Nieman, a professor of health and exercise science at Appalachian State University in response to the findings.
“I call it the vaccine-like effect.”
But how does it work?
Firstly, research suggests exercise may help fight off infectious bacteria and viruses by increasing the circulation of immune cells in your blood – essentially kickstarting your immune system.
Secondly, muscles release ‘signalling’ proteins known as cytokines during exercise, which help direct immune cells to find and fight off infection.
“Even if your levels of cytokines and immune cells taper off two or three hours after you stop exercising your immune system becomes more responsive and able to catch pathogens faster over time if you work out every day,” Nieman said.
“Your immune system is primed, and it is in better fighting shape to cope with a viral load at any given time.”
So as a parent, how can you weaponise exercise to protect your child’s health?
According to the new meta-analysis, that’s encouraging 150 minutes of moderate physical activity or 75 minutes of vigorous physical activity per week.
This could look like encouraging your child to take up a new after-school sport such as volleyball, basketball, soccer, touch footy, rugby, swimming, athletics and even surfing or bodyboarding.
Another option is to organise fun workouts or outdoor games that the whole fam can do together.
Quality time, endorphins, and a more robust immune system?
Sounds like a pretty easy pill to swallow to us.
