Immune Response to Resistance Exercise

Abstract

Resistance exercise produces transient perturbations in immunity, including alterations in circulating leukocyte numbers, cytokine concentration, and some measures of cell function. These changes are typically interpreted as being transiently detrimental to host defense. The mechanisms responsible for these immune fluctuations appear to be neuroendocrine-mediated alterations in cell trafficking and function and microtrauma-mediated alterations in cytokine release. Alterations in immunity following resistance exercise appear to be similar in pattern but smaller in magnitude than those typically seen after long, vigorous endurance exercise and are resolved within a few hours. However, resistance exercise—induced changes in immunity may become clinically relevant after repeated exercise bouts with insufficient recovery. Regular training appears to attenuate the immune response to resistance exercise. Care should be taken to ensure that resistance training is planned, with adequate variation in intensity and volume over time, to ensure recovery between sessions and to avoid chronic systemic inflammation.