13 - Exercise and Immunity

Assessment Statement Notes

13.1 State the function of the immune system The immune system protects the
body from infectious diseases. It is
involved in tissue repair and
protection against potential
pathogens.

13.2 Outline the mechanisms the body uses in Limit to the following.
response to damage or an infectious agent Innate:
- Physical: skin, epithelial
linings, mucosal secretions
- Chemical: pH of bodily fluids,
hormones, and other soluble
factors
- Leucocytes: white blood cells
that fight disease
Adaptive:
- Inflammation
- Clotting
- Lymphocyte and antibody
production

13.3 Describe the effects of intense and
long-term training on the immune system
An intense bout of exercise can
cause tissue damage and so is
accompanied by responses that are
similar to those of an infection, such
as:
- increase in leukocytes
(dependent on the duration
and intensity of exercise)
- inflammation
When training loads are high and
prolonged, there tends to be a
decrease in innate and adaptive
immune function.
- Sustained increases in levels
of cortisol and adrenaline
over long periods suppress
the immune system.
Leukocyte numbers drop compared
to sedentary
people.
13.4 Discuss the relationship between exercise
and susceptibility to infection
13.5 Describe strategies for minimizing risk
from infection among athletes
Athletes are more susceptible to
infections than their sedentary peers
because of:
- lower leukocyte numbers
caused by the stress of the
exercise
- inflammation caused by
muscle damage
- greater exposure to airborne
bacteria and viruses because
of an increased rate and
depth of breathing.
The relationship between exercise
intensity and susceptibility to
disease can be seen as a J curve
because an elite athlete has not only
to be physically fit but also have an
immune system able to withstand
infections, even during severe
physiological and psychological
stress.
Moderate exercise, however, is
associated with reduced
susceptibility to infection.
- Incorporation of sufficient
recovery time into training
programmes.
- Avoid close contact with
people with infections.
- Maintain oral hygiene.
- Maintain hydration status.
- Ensure water is
pathogen-free.
- Maintain good personal
hygiene (for example,
washing hands, avoiding
hand-to-mouth contact).
- Maintain a suitable and
varied diet.
- Ensure sufficient sleep.
13.1 - State the function of the immune system

Immune System - protects the body from infectious disease. It is involved in tissue repair
and protection against potential pathogens

13.2 - Outline the mechanisms the body uses in response to damage or an infectious agent

Innate System - it is present before any exposure to pathogens and is effective from the day
you were born
Adaptive System - develops only after exposure to microbes and toxins

Innate system is split into physical, chemical and leukocytes:

Physical: skin, epithelial linings and mucosal secretions
Chemical: pH of bodily fluids and hormones
Leukocytes: white blood cells that fight disease

Adaptive System: inflammation, clotting, lymphocyte and antibody production

13.3 - Describe the effects of intense and long-term training on the immune system

Effects of intense and long-term training on the immune system:

- Decrease in innate and adaptive immune function
- Increased levels of cortiso and adrenaline
- Low levels of leukocytes
- Increased tissue damage and inflammation
13.4 - Discuss the relationship between exercise and susceptibility to infection

Athletes are more susceptible to infections than their sedentary peers because they have:
- lower leukocyte numbers caused by the stress of the exercise
- inflammation caused by muscle damage
- greater exposure to airborne bacteria and viruses because of an increased rate in the
depth of breathing

The J curve shows the relationship between exercise intensity and susceptibility to infection

Sedentary:
- don’t have good circulation (prevents the body from fighting infections)
- prevents free movement of cells and substances of the immune system through the
body

Moderate Exercise:
- the best for your immune system
- better circulation, stronger heart ⟶ healthier blood vessels
- boosts every system in the body
- increases leukocytosis (production of leukocytes), so your body has more antibodies

Elite Athletes:
- lower leukocytes numbers
- inflammation of muscles which prevents blood flow and adds additional stress
- deeper breathing ⟶ more likely to inhale bacteria and viruses
- sustained increase in levels of adrenaline which suppresses the immune system and
increases stress hormones (cortisol)
13.5 - Describe strategies for minimizing risk from infection among athletes

- incorporating sufficient recovery time between training days

- avoiding close contact with people that have infections
- maintaining good oral hygiene
- maintaining your body hydrated
- ensuring water is pathogen-free
- maintaining good personal hygiene
ex. washing hands, avoiding hand-to-mouth contact
- maintaining a suitable and varied diet
- ensuring you get sufficient sleep