What amount of physical activity is required to enhance T lymphocyte (T cell) count?

From the Guidelines

Regular physical activity is required to enhance T lymphocyte (T cell) count, with chronic exercise showing a more consistent beneficial effect on Treg levels compared to acute exercise.

Key Findings

• Chronic exercise has been shown to increase Treg counts and proportions in healthy subjects, with studies demonstrating a mean increase of 12.9% in the Treg proportion after a one-week intense training intervention 1.
• Acute exercise has been found to have varying effects on Treg counts and proportions, with some studies showing increases and others showing no changes or decreases 1.
• The type, duration, and intensity of exercise, as well as the individual's age and fitness level, can influence the effects of exercise on Treg counts and proportions 1.
• High-intensity interval training (HIIT) has been shown to increase Treg counts and proportions in healthy men, while moderate continuous exercise has been found to have no effect 1.
• Chronic exercise has been found to increase naïve CD45RA+ Treg counts in octogenarians, while having no effect on memory CD45RA- Tregs 1.

Exercise Recommendations

• Chronic exercise: Engage in regular, long-term exercise to increase Treg counts and proportions.
• High-intensity interval training (HIIT): Incorporate HIIT into your exercise routine to increase Treg counts and proportions.
• Moderate exercise: Aim for moderate exercise, such as brisk walking or cycling, for at least 30 minutes per day.
• Individualized exercise: Consider individual factors, such as age and fitness level, when designing an exercise program to enhance T cell count. It is essential to note that the evidence is not very strong, and more research is needed to fully understand the effects of exercise on T cell count. However, based on the available evidence, regular physical activity, particularly chronic exercise, appears to have a beneficial effect on Treg levels.

From the Research

Physical Activity and T Lymphocyte Count

The amount of physical activity required to enhance T lymphocyte (T cell) count is a topic of interest in immunology.

• Studies have shown that moderate intensity exercise can have a positive effect on the immune system, including an increase in T cell count 2, 3.
• A single bout of moderate intensity exercise can increase the proportion of CD8+ T cells, which are important for fighting against cancer 4.
• However, prolonged periods of intensive exercise training can depress immunity, including T cell function 2, 5.
• Regular moderate intensity exercise may improve immunity due to reductions in inflammation, maintenance of thymic mass, and enhanced immunosurveillance 2.
• The effects of exercise on T cell count can vary depending on factors such as exercise intensity, duration, and frequency, as well as individual characteristics such as age and fitness level 5, 6.

Exercise Intensity and Duration

• Moderate intensity exercise, such as a 10-min acute exercise bout, can increase T cell count and mobilize CD8+ cytotoxic T cells and NK cells 4.
• Exercise to exhaustion can induce adverse changes in immune function, including decreases in T cell count and function 3.
• Lifelong training and maintaining high levels of aerobic fitness may help prevent the accumulation of senescent T-cells and improve immune function 6.

Individual Characteristics

• Age can have a positive effect on SLEC CD8+ T-cells and a negative effect on naïve CD8+ T-cells 6.
• VO2max, a measure of aerobic fitness, can positively correlate with the proportion of naïve CD4+ T-cells and negatively correlate with the percentage of total lymphocytes 6.
• Master athletes, who maintain a high training frequency and load throughout life, may have a lower percentage of senescent T-cells and improved immune function compared to non-athletes 6.