Effect of Exercise on Immune System
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https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15854810%20%20Keywords:
Exercise, health, immune system, physical activityAbstract
This study investigated the response of the immune system to different exercise intensities in healthy, unhealthy, athletic, and sedentary individuals. To better understand the effects of exercise on the immune system and develop more effective training programs, a review of the existing literature investigating the impact of exercise on the immune system was conducted. In this review, ten academic studies examining the effects of exercise on the immune system were analyzed. The research was conducted using literature searches from scientific databases, including "Google Scholar,” "Web of Science," and "PubMed.” Both Turkish and English literature searches were conducted using "effect of exercise on the immune system,” "immune system,” "immunology,” "athletic performance" and "exercise and immune system" as keywords. The findings of the selected studies were analyzed in detail, and common points regarding the effects of exercise on the immune system were identified. Regular moderate-intensity exercise has been found to positively affect the immune system, reduce inflammation, reduce the incidence of diseases, and increase resistance to certain diseases. However, it has been observed that high-intensity exercise may temporarily suppress the immune system, potentially increasing the risk of infection. This study revealed that both sedentary individuals and athletes should prioritize adequate rest, sleep, and balanced nutrition, especially during intense training, and consider the health of their immune systems when designing training programs.
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