The BASES Expert Statement on Exercise, Immunity, and Infection

Abstract

An individual's level of physical activity influences their risk of infection, most likely by affecting immune function. Regular moderate exercise reduces the risk of infection compared with a sedentary lifestyle, but very prolonged bouts of exercise and periods of intensified training are associated with an increased risk of infection. There are several lifestyle, nutritional, and training strategies that can be adopted to limit the extent of exercise-induced immunodepression and minimize the risk of infection. This expert statement provides a background summarizing the evidence together with extensive conclusions and practical guidelines.

Keywords:

• Exercise
• training
• immune
• infection
• nutrition

Acknowledgement

First published in The Sport and Exercise Scientist, Issue 28, Summer 2011. Published by the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (www.bases.org.uk).