Regular physical activity really does boost immune system in...( preventing age-associated declines in t...)

The study found that there is an age-related decline in the primary antibody response to the novel antigen KLH as well as an age-related decline in the memory T cell response to KLH. The older physically active subject had an improved antibody and DTH response compared with older sedentary subjects that is equal to that of younger subjects. The changes in anti-KLH IgG production are primarily of the IgG1 isotype. This suggests that aging produces declines one specific T cell sub-type (Th1) that is essential for the generation of IgG1 in humans and that a physically active lifestyle in the older subjects selectively maintained the function of that specific T cell subset.

Importantly, antigen-driven responses, but not total antigen nonspecific Ig, were affected by age or exercise, suggesting this measure is truly reflecting alterations in the in vivo function of T and B-cells.

In conclusion they said the results provide in vivo evidence that physical activity is associated with maintaining a more optimal T cell-mediated response and that the DTH measure could have an important clinical implication because reductions in DTH is a predictor of mortality in the elderly and is a determinant of infectious disease risk. Furthermore, the researchers said "maintaining a physically active lifestyle improves health throughout the life span, but especially during times of immunocompromise, such as advancing age."

They noted that although most of the regular exercisers were runners, that the type of exercise didn't seem to matter.

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Contact: Mayer Resnick
mresnick@the-aps.org
301-634-7209
American Physiological Society
24-Aug-2004