#54 - Exercise and immunity with Dr Michael Gleeson

Dr Glenn McConell chats with Emeritus Professor Michael Gleeson from Loughborough University, England. He is the biggest global name with many decades of research examining the effects of exercise and diet on the immune system. Exercise is beneficial for the immune system unless it is undertaken at a very high /elite level. A very interesting chat. Twitter: @profmikegleeson0:00. Introduction/Michael’s early career exercise research training5:41. Early studies on exercise and immune system: Eric Newsholme6:57. Prolonged exercise reduces plasma glutamine (leukocytes)8:30. Michael retired in 2016 but still writing books etc9:56. Increased upper respiratory tract infections after a marathon11:20. How the immune system responds to prolonged exercise13:10. What’s going wrong with athletes re their immunity (multifactorial)16:58. Why does WBC function go down with exercise?19:42. CHO ingestion during exercise can alter immune function23:35. Athletes don’t sleep as well, effects immunity28:00. Moderate levels of physical activity improves immune function32:18. Very high levels of exercise decreases immune function36:03. 1-2 hr a day of ex is beneficial for the immune system37:08. Better outcomes in response to Covid in people that exercise42:38. Is walking sufficient to improve immune function?44:35. Does exercise/standing around in cold cause more colds?48:20. Unless deficient in vitamins and minerals don’t need to supplement51:45. Vit D / zinc supplementation for athletes?53:00. Vit D supplementation for ultramarathoners?55:24. Can detect overtraining using stress/immune markers?1:03:20. Exerkines, exercise and the immune system1:07:45. White blood cell levels and exercise1:11:27. Age and the immune system1:12:57. Sex differences and the immune system1:17:35. Do we get sick more often when go on holidays?1:19:05. Babies need stimulation of their immune systems1:21:04. Takeaway messages1:23:35. Smart to push through a cough and keep exercising?1:26:00. Stress and the immune system1:27:02. Asthma, bronchitis and air temperature1:28:02. Most research studies don’t measure if an infection is present1:30:16. Outro (9 seconds) Inside Exercise brings to you the who's who of research in exercise metabolism, exercise physiology and exercise’s effects on health. With scientific rigor, these researchers discuss popular exercise topics while providing practical strategies for all.The interviewer, Emeritus Professor Glenn McConell, has an international research profile following 30 years of Exercise Metabolism research experience while at The University of Melbourne, Ball State University, Monash University, the University of Copenhagen and Victoria University.He has published over 120 peer reviewed journal articles and recently edited an Exercise Metabolism eBook written by world experts on 17 different topics (https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-94305-9).Connect with Inside Exercise and Glenn McConell at:Twitter: @Inside_exercise and @GlennMcConell1Instagram: insideexerciseFacebook: Glenn McConellLinkedIn: Glenn McConell https://www.linkedin.com/in/glenn-mcconell-83475460ResearchGate: Glenn McConellEmail: [email protected] to Inside exercise:Spotify: shorturl.at/tyGHLApple Podcasts: shorturl.at/oFQRUYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@insideexerciseAnchor: https://anchor.fm/insideexerciseGoogle Podcasts: shorturl.at/bfhHIAnchor: https://anchor.fm/insideexercisePodcast Addict: https://podcastaddict.com/podcast/4025218Not medical advice