Effect of physical exercise on inactivated COVID-19 vaccine antibody response in the elderly

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Physical exercise has been proposed as a new alternative to chemical adjuvants. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between regular exercise and post-vaccination antibody response in the elderly. METHODS: The study was conducted with the elderly over the age of 65. 30 participants we randomized into 2 groups and divided into exercise and control groups. The experimental group received a 12-week exercise program. The control group was followed up without any exercise. The day on which the second dose of the vaccine was administered to all participants was considered day 0. The antibody level in the serum samples was taken 15 days and 12 weeks after the vaccination. The antibody concentration was measured after the second dose of vaccination. RESULTS: The mean antibody level in the control group was 69.4 U/ml and 56.4 U/ml 15 days and 12 weeks after the second vaccination. The mean antibody level in the exercise group was 74 U/ml and 71.6 U/ml 15 days and 12 weeks after the second vaccination. CONCLUSIONS: Regular exercise of light to moderate intensity may increase post-vaccination antibody response in the elderly. Therefore, exercise can be used as a behavioral adjuvant to improve the vaccine efficacy in the elderly.