SciRep: regular physical exercise "trains" the immune system.
Regular physical exercise can literally "train" the immune system — this conclusion was reached by scientists from Germany and Brazil. As shown by a study published in Scientific Reports (SciRep), elderly individuals who have engaged in endurance activities (running, swimming, cycling) for decades have immune cells that function more effectively, maintain activity longer, and cause inflammation less frequently.
The researchers compared leukocytes from two groups of volunteers — trained individuals and those leading a sedentary lifestyle. It turned out that in athletes, the killer cells that destroy viruses and cancer cells adapt better to stress and use energy more efficiently. Even when exposed to drugs that block immune signals, their cells maintained resilience, whereas untrained individuals quickly experienced exhaustion.
The scientists note that years of training make the immune system "smarter": it still responds to threats but avoids excessive inflammation. This balance, according to the authors, may be the key to healthy aging and the prevention of chronic diseases.
