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Exercise, upper respiratory tract infection, and the immune system
Abstract
The relationship between exercise and upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) may be modeled in the form of a "J" curve. Various epidemiological studies suggest that unusually heavy acute or chronic exercise is associated with an increased risk of URTI. The risk appears to be especially high during the one or 2-wk period following marathon-type race events. Among runners varying widely in training habits, the risk for URTI is slightly elevated for the highest distance runners, but only when several confounding factors are controlled for. Two randomized experimental trials using small numbers of subjects have provided important preliminary data in support of the viewpoint that moderate physical activity may reduce URTI symptomatology. Clinical data support the concept that heavy exertion increases the athlete's risk of URTI because of negative changes in immune function and elevation of the stress hormones, epinephrine, and cortisol. On the other hand, there is growing evidence that moderate amounts of exercise may decrease one's risk of URTI through favorable changes in immune function without the negative attending effects of the stress hormones.
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“Common cold is also more likely in those suffering from psychological stress [59], while moderate physical exercise may decrease the risk [60].”
From Immune function and micronutrient requirements change over the life course (2018) · cites this paper as [60]
In the citing paper
“Finally, some reports27 indicate that heavy physical training increases the risk of respiratory infections, whereas moderate physical activity could decrease risk.”
From The common cold (2003) · cites this paper as [27]
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Metadata
- Authors
- NIEMAN, D. C.
- Affiliations
- Appalachian State University (US)
- Corresponding author
- NIEMAN, DAVID C.
- ORCID
- NIEMAN, DAVID C.
- Venue
- Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise
- Published
- 1994-02
- Volume
- 26
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 128-139
- ISSN
- 0195-9131 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2088858431
- Cited by
- 468
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2026: 10 · 2025: 8 · 2024: 9 · 2023: 8 · 2022: 16 · 2021: 17 · 2020: 19 · 2019: 8 · 2018: 21 · 2017: 9 · 2016: 17 · 2015: 22 · 2014: 22 · 2013: 21 · 2012: 24
- FWCI
- 13.31
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology (medical) › Exercise and Physiological Responses
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology (medical) › Cardiovascular and exercise physiology
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine › Cardiovascular Effects of Exercise
- Keywords
- upper respiratory tract infection, physical activity, immune function, marathon running, long-distance runners, stress hormones, cortisol, epinephrine, J-curve, infection risk
- MeSH terms
- Humans, Immune System, Respiratory Tract Infections, Risk Factors, Exercise, Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
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