In a study conducted by scientists at the University of Loughborough, it has been found that whilst regular moderate exercise can help to boost the immune system, too much exercise can have the opposite effect. Professor Mike Gleeson has concluded that activity such as going for a good long walk can help to strengthen the body’s defences against such infections as the common cold, sinusitis and seasonal influenza. Too much exercise could be just as bad as too little for the immune system. According to Professor Gleeson, “different levels of exercise significantly increase or decrease the chances of catching an upper-respiratory tract infection.”
Activity Determines Susceptibility
Putting on your outdoor clothing and undertaking a “brisk walk” each day could “reduce your chance of catching a respiratory infection by up to a third” confirmed Professor Gleeson. If you are taking little or no exercise, you are likely to have an “average risk of catching an infection, typically two or three times a year.” It seems that these “couch potatoes” are just as at risk as marathon runners to catch a cold!
Moderation is the Key
Following prolonged periods of strenuous exercise, Gleeson found that the “likelihood of an individual becoming ill actually increases.” Directly following a marathon, people are between two and six times more likely to develop an upper respiratory infection. It is thought that the heavy training involved in preparing for a marathon suppresses the cells that fight infection, whilst moderate exercise boosts their performance.
