Physical activities, exercises, and their effects to the immune system

Abstract

Keyword: immune system physical activity exercise Review Article JKKI 2015;7(2): 52 Every systems in human body correlate to maintain homeostasis. One of those systems which contribute to maintain homeostasis is the immune system. The immune system defends physiological functions against foreign substances and cancer cells through a complex and multilayered mechanism. The ability to defend against foreign substances and abnormal cells is done by two types of immune system, which are Innate immune system and adaptive/acquired immune system. There are also certain factors that affect the immune system, for instance physiological factor, nutrition, psychological factor, environental factor, and exercise or physical activities. Regular exercises and physical activities with moderate intensity will boost the immune system. Sedentary lifestyle and minimal physical activity will increase the risk of infectious diseases. While exercises and physical activity with high intensity will suppress the immune system hence increase the risk of infection. Sistem-sistem dalam tubuh manusia bekerja sama untuk mempertahankan homeostasis. Salah satu sistem yang berkontribusi mempertahankan homeostasis adalah sistem imun. Sistem imun mempertahankan fungsi tubuh terhadap invasi sel asing dan sel kanker melalui mekanisme pertahanan yang kompleks dan berlapis-lapis. Kemampuan untuk mengatasi substansi asing dan sel abnormal yang membahayakan dilakukan oleh kerja sama dua tipe sistem imun, yaitu sistem imun non-spesifik atau innate immune system dan sistem imun spesifik atau adaptive/acquires immune system. Terdapat faktor-faktor tertentu yang mempengaruhi status imun, antara lain faktor fisiologis, nutrisi, psikologis, lingkungan, dan kebiasaan berolah raga atau beraktivitas fisik. Olah raga dan aktivitas fisik dengan intensitas moderat secara teratur akan meningkatkan sistem imun. Kebiasaan hidup sedenterian dan aktivitas fisik yang minimal akan meningkatkan risiko terkena penyakit infeksi. Selain itu, olah raga dengan intensitas berat dan sangat berat justru menekan sistem imun sehingga meningkatkan risiko terkena infeksi