Immune Function in Sport & Exercise

The book covers the evidence for the so-called J-shaped relationship between exercise load and infection risk. This is followed by a description of the components of the human immune system and how it functions to protect the body from invasion by potentially disease causing microorganisms. This is not to the same depth as a clinical immunology text, but covers the essential details. The different ways that immune function can be measured is explained. Emphasis here is on the principles of the tests used and their limitations rather than on the minute detail of the assay methods. Subsequent chapters describes the known effects of acute exercise and heavy training on innate and specific (acquired) immunity, the effect of exercise in environmental extremes on immune function and the impact of nutrition on immunity and immune responses to exercise and the mechanisms involved. The field of exercise immunology has many parallels with the area of psychoneuroimmunology and one of the chapters in this book will covers the impact of acute and chronic psychological stress on immune function and susceptibility to infection. Practical guidelines that have been developed to help minimise risk of immunodepression and infection in athletes are explained. Finally, the importance of the relationship between exercise, infection risk and immune function in special populations (elderly, obese, diabetic and HIV patients) and the potential clinical applications of exercise immunology are explored. The aim of this book is for the student to understand and evaluate the relationship between exercise, immune function and infection risk. Well referenced, including a further reading list with each chapter. Written by a group of highly experienced experts.