How does sport affect our health ?
It is well known that regular physical activity helps to keep the body
healthy and in good shape. But how is the immune system actually affected by
physical activity? And does intensive sporting activity have a similar effect
on health ?
First let’s have a look at sport
as a leisure activity : for example, jogging for 30 minutes– a regular, pleasurable
activity of medium intensity. This type of activity will bring numerous
beneficial effects to health by stimulating the immune system.
- It encourages good sleeping habits – a dormant deficiency can cause changes
in the quantity and quality of leukocytes.
- It also helps fight stress which has a bad influence on interleukine
(see Stress).
- And it will also be good for your mind : endorphins are released
when participating in a pleasurable activity and they help fight stress (see
Have fun).
Besides supporting good general
health, physical activity also has a direct effect on immunity. By improving
blood circulation, exercise allows a
number of substances in the immune system to travel more easily through the
body. This is very important to prevent infection of a wound, for example.
Furthermore lymphocytes, macrophages and the production of immunoglobulins are
stimulated during physical effort.
On the other hand, intensive
physical training can have the reverse
effect on the immune system.
During a 2 hour long session for example, the rate
of lymphocytes and macrophage increases. However, this increase is later
followed by a significant decrease in these rates and a reduction in the
activity of macrophages during approximately 24 hrs, creating a period of
reduced immunity after the effort.
A recovery period is therefore important to minimize this period of
reduced immunity. Top athletes who often train for a whole day
are made aware of this susceptible period, respiratory tract infections being
the most common consequence.
An
intensive sports program needs to be carefully
Fanny M.
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