Sport is good for health. That, you know. But how much? Gilles Mondoloni is formal: “Moderate physical activity, performed twice a week at normal intensity for example, will boost immunity.” Fine, but why?
3 reasons that explain the benefits of sport on immunity
Any physical activity involves the body adapting to new constraints. But not only muscle and bone: “Sport causes an acceleration of blood flowbut also pulmonary flow, explains the doctor. You will therefore have more microbes in the lungs, but you will also give the order to your body to adapt to this situation. And as blood flow increases, you’re also going to have better circulation of white and red blood cells.” And, in fact, boost your immunity.
But that’s not all : “When we play sports, release feel-good hormones and relax. However, we know that stress is not good for immunity. In addition, by running outside, for example, we expose ourselves to the sun and we synthesize vitamin D, which promotes the release of antibodies!
Too much sport kills sport (or at least immunity)
“When we do too much sport, like when we train for example for a marathon, we are in the extra-physiological, warns the expert. We push the organization to its limits and we release cortisol, the stress hormone. This increases performance, but it also causes a drop in immunity. That’s why people who exercise too much get sick. Often, moreover, 24 to 48 hours after an intense effort.
The ideal? Move in moderation. “Even a bit of daily brisk walking is enough! Plus, you’ll build muscle and bone strength.” Not to mention, of course, the benefits for the cardiovascular system. So what are you waiting for to put on your sneakers?