Vaccination against Covid-19 It is one of the most recurring themes in recent months, as it was urgently expected to reduce infections as well as mitigate the effects of the health crisis. But, Can exercise influence our body’s response to the vaccine? Specifically, there is no evidence for the Covid-19 vaccine, but there is scientific literature on the correlation between exercise and vaccination.
In 2019, Australian researchers published an interesting review of the factors that influence the immune response to vaccination, but noted that there are still not enough studies to confirm the findings. the specific effects of exercise on vaccination processes, but they included various investigations that had shown some influence (Zimmermann and Curtis, 2019). Other researchers in 2014 published a review concluding that “exposure to acute or chronic exercise significantly increases the immune response to vaccination.” (Pascoe et al. 2014). But under what conditions was this relationship studied?
In a small sample of 22 triathletes Tetanus and diphtheria vaccines and purified pneumococcal polysaccharides were administered after an ironman. The results were compared to other triathletes who did not perform on Ironman and moderately trained men. Although the group that was vaccinated after Ironman revealed a significantly lower skin test response to tetanus antigen and a lower 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 high-intensity exercise, there was no deterioration in antibody production two weeks after vaccination (Bruunsgaard et al., 1997).
Influenza vaccine studies
Another study investigated what happened to men and women if they exercised 45 minutes before receiving the flu vaccine. Women who did previous exercises had higher levels of antibodies at 4 and 20 weeks. (Edwards et al., 2006). In another paper, the response to the influenza vaccine was explored whether, 6 hours earlier, eccentric contractions of the deltoid muscles and biceps brachii of the non-dominant arm were performed. Interestingly, ” the eccentric exercise had differential effects on the response to vaccination in men and women, with an improvement in the antibody response in women, but an improvement in the cell-mediated response in men “ (Edwards et al., 2006).
More recent research, consisting of two studies, has evaluated the effect of a short exercise session before vaccination in relation to side effects. Participants completed a diary for seven days after vaccination. Exercise groups reported fewer days of bloating, fever, and decreased appetite in both sexes (Lee et al., 2018).
But beyond the way physical practice immediately before vaccination could influence, other researchers have questioned whether the active lifestyle has benefits. In this regard, Kohut and colleagues at Iowa State University in the United States analyzed the physical activity levels of a cohort of people aged 62 and over who received a flu vaccine, concluding that ” vigorous and regular exercise was associated with an improved immune response after vaccination. ” (Kohut et al., 2002).
Although all this seems to suggest that exercise may be beneficial in improving the vaccine’s immune response, evidence is still lacking to indicate what type and dose. With what we know and appealing to caution, from General Council of Physical Education and Sports, both before and after administration of a vaccine, the physical-sports practice that takes place must be adapted to the physical condition of the person, avoiding the efforts of high intensity that can depress and / or modify the immune system. For any questions about how to adapt to physical activity in the days before and after vaccination, consult a sports physical educator (Professional with a degree or diploma in physical activity and sports sciences and college).