| Autor: |
Kallen V; The Netherlands Organization for Applied Sciences (TNO), P.O. Box 23, 3769 ZG Soesterberg, The Netherlands., Scherder R; Department of Sports Medicine, University Medical Center Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 8, 3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands., Cramer MJ; Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 8, 3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands., Stam J; The Netherlands Organization for Applied Sciences (TNO), P.O. Box 23, 3769 ZG Soesterberg, The Netherlands., Johnson B; Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, 200 First St. SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA., Scherder E; Department of Clinical Neuropsychology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1105, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands. |
| Abstrakt: |
The severe consequences of the present Corona Virus Disease 2019 COVID-19 pandemic seem to be closely related to an already ongoing ('first') pandemic, directly associated with a sedentary lifestyle. It seems evident that the prognosis after infection is substantially worse for individuals suffering from, for example, (visceral) obesity, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes type 2. Consequently, it may be considered highly relevant to gain insight into the potential beneficial effects of exercise interventions to strengthen the immune system, particularly in high-risk populations. For this reason, the exercise protocols that are suggested to strengthen the immune system, which can be executed by all ages and almost all physical conditions, were reviewed and evaluated. Previously published protocols range from interrupting prolonged sitting, to regular low-to-moderate exercise activities, to high intensity, typically interval, sports formats. Reported positive effects on immune functioning appear to be induced either directly or via beneficial metabolic and/or psychological effects and become measurable after 3 weeks to 3 months. Based in these findings, it appeared possible to design an optimal exercise protocol to maximize effects on immune functioning that should be executable for all, even under restricted ('lockdown') circumstances. |
