Vaccination against COVID-19 It has been one of the most recurring themes in recent months, as it was urgently expected to both reduce infections and alleviate the consequences of the health crisis. But, Can exercise affect our body’s response to the vaccine? Specifically, there is no evidence for the Covid-19 vaccine, but there is scientific literature on the relationship between exercise and vaccination.
In 2019, Australian researchers published an interesting review on the factors that influence the immune response to vaccination, but noted that there are still not enough studies to confirm the findings. specific effects of exercise on vaccination processes, but they do contain several studies that had shown some impact Zimmermann and Curtis, 2019)Other researchers published a review in 2014 in which they concluded that “exposure to acute or chronic exercise significantly increases the immune response to vaccination” (Pascoe et al. 2014)But under what conditions has this relationship been investigated?
In a small sample of 22 triathletes Tetanus and diphtheria toxoid and purified pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccines were administered after an ironman. The results were compared to other triathletes who had not run the Ironman, and to moderately trained men. Although the group vaccinated after Ironman showed a significantly lower skin test response to tetanus antigen and a smaller cumulative response, no differences in antibodies were found between the three groups. The authors conclude that although cell-mediated immunity in vivo was affected in the first days after prolonged vigorous exercise, there was no deterioration in antibody production two weeks after vaccination (Bruunsgaard et al., 1997)
Flu vaccine studies
Another study examined what happened in men and women when they exercised 45 minutes before receiving the flu vaccine. Women who had previously trained showed higher antibody levels at 4 and 20 weeks (Edwards et al., 2006)In another work, the response to the flu vaccine was examined whether eccentric contractions of the deltoid and biceps brachii muscles of the non-dominant arm were performed 6 hours earlier. Interestingly, “it eccentric exercises had different effects on the response to vaccination in men and women, met an enhancement of the antibody response in women, but an enhancement of the cell-mediated response in men “ (Edwards et al., 2006)
More recent research, consisting of two studies, evaluated the effect of a short practice session prior to vaccination for side effects. The participants kept a diary for seven days after vaccination. Training groups reported fewer days of bloating, fever, and decreased appetite in both sexes (Lee et al., 2018)
But besides how physical exercise could affect exercise immediately prior to vaccination, Other researchers wondered whether an active lifestyle has any benefits. In this sense, Kohut and colleagues, from Iowa State University (United States), analyzed the physical activity levels of a cohort of people aged 62 or older who received a flu vaccine and concluded that “ vigorous and regular exercise was associated with an improved immune response. after vaccination ” (Kohut et al., 2002)
While all of this seems to suggest that exercise may be beneficial in boosting the vaccine’s immune response, evidence is still lacking to indicate which type and at what dose. With what we know, and with an appeal to caution, of the General Council for Physical and Sports Educationbefore and after the administration of a vaccine, the physical exercise that is performed should be adapted to the physical condition of the person, avoiding high intensity efforts that may suppress and / or alter the immune system. For questions about adjusting physical sports activities in the days before and after vaccination, consult a sports teacher (Professional with a diploma or degree in physical activity and sports science and collegiate).