Abstract

This review deals with the effect of acute physical exercise and training status on different components of the immune system. Predominantly studies in humans are mentioned. Also, the possible role of different stress hormones is discussed. Results are presented showing that selective admininstration of epinephrine to obtain plasma concentrations identical with those seen during exercise mimicked the exercise-induced effects of NK activity, lymphocyte proliferative response and blood mononuclear cell subsets, but not totally the effect on neutrophils. It is concluded that exercise-induced immunomodulation occurs due to altered composition of immunocompetent cells as well as due to activation of the immune system, more, that during severe as well as moderate exercise, the immune system is enhanced, whereas severe exercise only causes post-exercise immunodepression. Verf.-Referat