The benefits of exercise are widely known and is recommended by health professionals to keep us healthy. The cardiovascular system benefits most as the increase in heart rate makes the heart and circulatory system work, therefore making it stronger and more stabilised. But can it directly affect the immune system in keeping those germs at bay and boosting our immunity?
Well, it seems it can! Regular exercise can improve the immune system by increasing the body’s production of antibodies and T cells. This makes them travel faster, improving the body’s immune and metabolic systems. Increasing the heart rate increases the breathing rate aiding the flushing out of bacteria from the lungs and airways, in turn, decreasing the chances of catching colds and viruses.
In fact, a recent study has shown the impact of regular exercise on Upper Respiratory Tract Infections. A group of people were monitored and there was a significant reduction in severity of symptoms for those who were active 5 or more days a week. These same subjects were seen to be 50% less likely to contract an Upper Respiratory Tract Infection than those who were sedentary.
Exercise is also known to increase body temperature, acting almost in the same way the body does when you have a virus when it gives you a fever, killing pathogens and preventing the growth of bacteria. Sweating is good for you in this instance and brings a whole new meaning to the phrase ‘feel the burn’.
There is also a link between physical and mental health. Exercise can help reduce stress levels and lower stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol. The release of feel-good endorphins can be great for the mind and keep you motivated during exercise.
So essentially, moderate exercise is almost always advantageous to keeping yourself healthy and germ free, so go for that walk, do that dance and keep that heart pumping.
