One quick workout only 15 minutes and moderate intensity may be enough to strengthen your immunity . This is what a study presented in the American Physiology Summit, in Long Beach, California. The event is the main annual meeting of the American Physiology Society (APS) and took place between April 4th and 7th.
According to the study, a quick and moderate workout can increase the levels of natural killer cells, called NK (“NK”).natural killers“). These cells are a type of white blood cell and act as a first-line defense in the immune system. Their function is to seek out and eliminate infected cells — including cancer cells — from the body, and they can do this without prior exposure to pathogens (as with antibodies).
Previous research has already shown that physical exercise can increase the levels of NK cells in the bloodstream, increasing immunity.
In this new study, a group of 10 volunteers aged between 18 and 40 exercised on a stationary bike for 30 minutes at moderate intensity. The researchers drew blood from the volunteers before the cycling session and again at the 15- and 30-minute marks.
The team found that the Blood NK cell levels increased after 15 minutes of exercise but did not reach higher levels after 30 minutes of exercise.
“Mobilizing more of these cells can protect the body against infections, reduce the likelihood of developing certain diseases, and help improve disease outcomes by controlling infections more effectively,” explained Rebekah Hunt, a doctoral candidate at the University of Houston. and first author of the study, in statement.
According to the study authors, this potential immune system boost may be particularly notable in people with cancer, since NK cells can destroy tumor cells. Furthermore, the results can be motivating for people to exercise even if they have little free time on a daily basis.
“Our results do not point to a clear advantage in terms of increasing NK cells in the bloodstream from exercising for more than 15 minutes at moderate intensity,” added Hunt.
Source: CNN Brasil

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