Abstract
Aging is a complex, multietiological process and a major risk factor for most non-genetic, chronic diseases including geriatric syndromes that negatively affect healthspan and longevity. In the scenario of “healthy or good aging”, especially during the COVID-19 era, the proper implementation of exercise as “adjuvant” or “polypill” to improve disease-related symptoms and comorbidities in the general population is a top priority. However, there is still a gap concerning studies analyzing influence of exercise training to immune system in older people. Therefore, the aim of this review is to provide a brief summary of well-established findings in exercise immunology and immunogerontology, but with a focus on the main exercise-induced mechanisms associated with aging of the immune system (immunosenescence). The scientific data strongly supports the notion that regular exercise as a low-cost and non-pharmacological treatment approach, when adjusted on an individual basis in elderly, induce multiple rejuvenating mechanisms: (1) affects the telomere-length dynamics (a “telo-protective” effect), (2) promote short- and long-term anti-inflammatory effects (via e.g., triggering the anti-inflammatory phenotype), 3) stimulates the adaptive immune system (e.g., helps to offset diminished adaptive responses) and in parallel inhibits the accelerated immunosenescence process, (4) increases post-vaccination immune responses, and (5) possibly extends both healthspan and lifespan.
Highlights
Aging is a complex, multietiological process and a major risk factor for most non-genetic, chronic diseases including geriatric syndromes that negatively affect healthspan and longevity
The public health service has been ineffective in many countries since the surge of the COVID-19 pandemic and older adults have died due to the inability to be admitted to hospitals and many suffered from an acute or chronic condition that can normally be treated, such as strokes and heart attacks
The aim of this review is to provide a brief summary of well-established findings in exercise immunology and immunogerontology, but with a focus on the main exercise-induced mechanisms associated with aging of the immune system
Summary
Exercise (a part of PA) is defined as a planned and structured behaviour, which aims to improve specific health and physical performance outcomes, such as functional ability or cardiorespiratory fitness [20]. Resistance, endurance and cognicise exercise are recognized as stimualtion of the body that has a significant influence on skeletal muscle tissue, nervous system and a more youthful immune phenotype [12]. In this review we have focused literally on the relationship between exercise and the immunosenescence, we must not forget about the broader consequences well beyond the effects on the immune system of exercise in the elderly. This means that in order for the analysis not to be purely theoretical, we must not overlook the other needs of the aging organism, such as plasticity of nervous system, general cardiorespiratory fitness and other important variables during healthy aging
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