Moderate exercise improves antibody response to influenza immunization in older adults

The effectiveness of influenza vaccine is reduced among adults over age 65 and a significant number of vaccinated elderly may remain susceptible to influenza virus infection. The effect of moderate exercise training on the immune response to influenza immunization was evaluated in this study. Twenty-seven adults age 64 and older were assigned to an exercise group or a control group. The subjects exercised at 65-75% heart rate reserve (HRR), 25-30min, 3 days per week, for 10 months. Controls did not change activity. Subjects were immunized with trivalent influenza vaccine before and after the exercise intervention. After the exercise intervention, exercisers exhibited a greater mean fold increase in antibody titer to influenza A compared to controls, suggesting that exercise may enhance the antibody titer in response to influenza immunization.  

(Source: Kohut ML, Arntson BA, Lee W, Rozeboom K, Yoon KJ, Cunnick JE, McElhaney J. Vaccine. 2004 Jun 2;22(17-18):2298-306)