"Data on types of exercise to increase immune response to Covid-19 are still limited, but there is evidence that the incidence of URTI (Upper Respiratory Tract Infection) and death from URTI is lower in those who exercise regularly," said Prof. Dr. dr. BM Wara Kushartanti, M.S. in her inaugural speech as a professor in the field of Health Sports Education at the Faculty of Sports Science, Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta.
"Coronavirus causes pneumonia as the main problem with inflammation of the air sacs (alveoli) that are evenly distributed, causing acute respiratory distress syndrome," she explained. Our immune system, both innate and adaptive, will fight the entry of the virus, and there will be a 'war' between the virus and the immune system. Corona viruses which are as simple as, and not even enough to be considered as living beings, are also armed with the ability to save themselves, by secreting enzymes so that they can penetrate physical barriers. Another strategy involves rapidly mutating and changing the proteins in the viral envelope and spikes. There is also a strategy of covering the antigen with a host molecule so that it is not detected by the immune system and is not considered a foreign body.
Moderate-intensity physical exercise will increase the anti-pathogenic activity and circulating macrophages, immunoglobulins and anti-inflammatory cytokines, thereby reducing the pathogen load and lung damage. During regular exercise, there is a decrease in the inflammatory response and stress hormones, as well as an increase in lymphocytes, NK cells, immature B cells and monocytes, thereby preventing infections, including Covid-19. Regular exercise with moderate intensity will stimulate the exchange of white blood cells between the circulatory system and tissues, thereby reducing morbidity (illness rate) and mortality (death rate) due to acute respiratory infections.
On the other hand, strenuous exercise will actually act as immunosuppression, so that it will worsen the disease. Excessive physical exercise will have a negative impact because of the abundance of active oxygen (oxidants) under normal circumstances, the body produces an active oxygen-sparing enzyme, namely Superoxide Dismutase (SOD). Strenuous exercise will actually act as immunosuppression, so that it will aggravate the disease (Gleeson, 2011). Excessive physical exercise will have a negative impact because of the abundance of active oxygen (oxidants) under normal circumstances, the body produces an active oxygen-sparing enzyme, namely Superoxide Dismutase (SOD).
Prof. Dr. dr. BM Wara Kushartanti, M.S. concluded that keeping physically active during social isolation must be carried out by everyone, because physical activity/exercise has been proven to prevent contracting Covid-19 infection, control the immune system when infected, and recover quickly after infection. The role of exercise is to reduce pro-inflammatory cytokines and increase anti-inflammatory cytokines, so that cytokine storms and severe inflammation do not occur. More than that, exercise will also thin the blood and prevent blood coagulation so as to prevent blockage of blood flow which is the main cause of death in Covid-19 infection.
