Effect of physical activity on the immune system in the normal state and in various diseases: a review

Abstract

INTRODUCTION. Regular physical exercise has a beneficial effect on health, affecting all body systems and reducing morbidity. Muscle fiber activity during exercise helps reduce levels of inflammatory markers and stimulate anti-inflammatory responses. The ability to maintain homeostasis while exercising and adaptation to exercises depend on physical fitness, comorbidities and other factors, so the exercise program should be tailored to the individual. THE MAIN CONTENT OF THE REVIEW. Immune system activation in response to exercise is mediated by cytokine signaling. The main source of cytokines during physical activity is the skeletal muscles themselves. Cytokines produced by myocytes (myokines) during muscle contraction play a key role in providing communication between working muscles and other organs and tissues. Numerous studies have shown a positive effect of moderate intensity exercise on myokine secretion. People with chronic infectious or non-infectious diseases often demonstrate low-grade systemic inflammation and low levels of circulating myokines. Moderate intensity exercise has anti-inflammatory effects in inflammatory conditions and diseases. Exercise is a popular non-pharmacological adjunct to traditional treatments and rehabilitation for many diseases. CONCLUSION. Understanding the relationship between exercise modalities and myokine response helps to optimize treatment and rehabilitation recommendations for populations with different needs, such as patients with cancer, chronic inflammatory diseases, or post-viral infection syndromes.

Keywords

• exercise
• inflammation
• cytokine
• myokine
• skeletal muscle
• rehabilitation
• chronic inflammatory diseases