VACCINATION IS A POWERFUL TOOL to reduce the risk of dying from a COVID-19 infection. But did you know that physical activity is independently associated with a low likelihood of severe COVID infection? Let’s explore the relationship between exercise and the effectiveness of COVID vaccines.
South African researchers recently assessed the association between regular physical activity and vaccination against COVID-19 among healthcare workers. We will explore the provocative results today.
We are all aware of the damaging medical (mental and physical), social, and economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. Over 6.5 million individuals have died from the disease.
I am tired of all the mitigation strategies, but I understand how non-pharmacological maneuvers to control COVID-19 spread greatly value. Lockdowns, physical distancing, sanitizing, and mask-wearing all have demonstrated effectiveness.
What is the downside to interventions such as lockdowns and physical distancing? Many of us, myself included, have lowered our physical activity volume. I dropped my membership to the local gym (admittedly, I am blessed to have home equipment). Are you getting less activity since the onset of the pandemic?
“We have a chance to do something extraordinary. As we head out of this pandemic, we can change the world. Create a world of love. A world where we are kind to each other. A world where we are kind no matter what class, race, sexual orientation, religion or lack of, or what job we have. In a world we don’t judge those at the food bank because that may be us if things were just slightly different. Let love and kindness be our roadmap.” ― Johnny Corn.
Vaccines and COVID-19
COVID-19 vaccination remains a remarkably efficacious and cost-effective tool. Vaccine effectiveness is 73 to 94 percent regarding virus-related hospital admissions.
The COVID-19 vaccine is effective across age groups, ethnic groups, and risk categories.
Physical activity and vaccines
For those who exercise, I have some good news: We have strong evidence that regular physical activity can lower your chances of suffering from severe COVID-19 problems, including hospital and intensive care unit admission, ventilation, and death.
https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/56/10/568
https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/56/16/901
But what about physical activity and vaccine effectiveness? Exercise immunology is an emerging discipline that offers some insights into how regular moderate-intensity physical activity improves immuno-surveillance.
In addition, we now have evidence of the effects of physical activity on vaccine effectiveness. Many studies are on the influenza vaccine. Regular physical activity improves immune system responses to the flu vaccine, particularly in older adults.
Now, we have the first study to examine the relationship between measured physical activity and vaccine effectiveness against COVID-19 infection.
Researchers obtained information regarding over 212,000 Korean adults who tested for SARS-CoV-2. The records came from the National Health Insurance Service of South Korea.
Here are the thought-provoking results:
Those who reported aerobic and muscle strengthening activities that met or exceeded the 2018 exercise guidelines had a lower risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection (15 percent relative drop), severe COVID-19 illness (risk dropped by more than half, or 58 percent), and COVID-related death (three-quarters risk reduction).
The positive effects of exercise on vaccine effectiveness appeared particularly large among the elderly, never smokers, and those without significant other illnesses (co-morbidities).
EXERCISE and vaccines — Mechanisms
The study authors explain that habitual exercise has several beneficial effects on the immune system:
- Enhanced immune system surveillance and defense (via increases in immunoglobulins, anti-inflammatory cytokines, neutrophils, and immune cells).
- Decreased systemic inflammation
- Improved immune system regulation and delayed onset of immuno- senescence.
- Physical activity inhibits lung inflammation and bacterial colonization in respiratory infections.
The bottom line? Exercise benefits our immune system, reducing our chances of getting an infection, suffering from severe COVID, and dying from a COVID-19 infection.
EXERCISE and vaccines — My take
The Korean study is imperfect. For example, participants self-reported physical activity; I would have preferred, for example, a wrist-worn device to track movement.
Moreover, gathering physical activity information at a single point in time (the general health examinations) is inherently limited. Misclassification of physical activity typically leads to an underestimate of the magnitude of the association.
The researchers scored resistance activities in a binary fashion: Yes versus no. More granular information could add value.
The study authors could not exclude confounding factors, including diet. They tried to control for such variables, however. Finally, the study only included Korean participants; whether the results hold in a more diverse population is still being determined.
Despite these limitations, this novel large-scale study points to an association between physical activity, COVID-19 infection risk, severity, and related death. Thank you for joining me in this brief look at exercise and the effectiveness of COVID vaccines. Please remember to sign up to follow this blog. Thank you.
The information I provided in this blog is for educational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult a medical professional or healthcare provider if you seek medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment. I am not liable for risks or issues associated with using or acting upon the information in this blog.
