The Role of Physical Activity in Reducing Inflammation: Implications for Preventive Medicine
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.12775/QS.2025.37.57102Keywords
physical activity, inflammation, exerkine, exerciseAbstract
Physical activity is an accessible and free, modifiable factor which influences our health and wellbeing. Increased physical activity (PA) and exercise are associated with reduced chronic disease risk. The prevalence of physical inactivity is constantly increasing. Physical inactivity is associated with the development of various chronic diseases including cancer, cardiovascular, metabolic and neurodegenerative diseases [1].
All countries should adopt policies focused on encouraging people to move at all stages of life.
Understanding the links that exist between PA and inflammation can bring new vision on common chronic disease. There is no doubt it would favorably impact global society on the economic as well as productivity side. This review highlights anti-inflammatory effects of PA and exercise training in selected, frequent illnesses our time.
Purpose of the work: The purpose of this review is to explore and synthesize current scientific evidence on the anti-inflammatory effects of PA and exercise training, focusing on their impact on the prevention and management of chronic diseases.
Materials and Methods: We conducted a literature search on the MEDLINE database in October 2024, utilizing keywords including 'physical activity', 'inflammation', ‘exercise’ and 'exerkine' to identify pertinent documents. The inclusion criterion was that the article addresses the following issues: the relationship between PA and inflammation in chronic diseases, the biochemical mechanisms linking physical activity to anti-inflammatory effects. Non-English language, or without full-text available articles, and publications not addressing the issues described in the inclusion criteria and were excluded from the analysis.
References
1. Lee, I.M., Shiroma, E.J., Lobelo, F., Puska, P., Blair, S.N., Katzmarzyk, P.T. (2012). Physical Activity and Health. The Lancet, 380(9838), 247-257.
2. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2008). Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. Journal of Physical Activity and Health, 5(3), 391-396.
3. Thompson, P.D., Franklin, B.A., Balady, G.J., Blair, S.N., Corrado, D., Estes, N.M., et al. (2020). Exercise and Physical Activity in Cardiovascular Disease Prevention. JAMA, 324(20), 2045-2055.
4. Levine, J.A., Eberhardt, N.L., Jensen, M.D. (2001). Nonexercise Activity Thermogenesis (NEAT) and its Role in Weight Regulation. Journal of Clinical Investigation, 107(6), 857-861.
5. Levine, J.A., Kotz, C.M., Mock, L., et al. (2015). The Role of NEAT in Cardiovascular Health. Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 90(11), 1420-1428.
6. Bouchard, C., Blair, S.N., Haskell, W.L. (2011). Impact of Nonexercise Activity Thermogenesis on Glycemic Control. Diabetes Care, 34(8), 1785-1792.
7. Levine, J.A., Jensen, M.D. (2015). NEAT and Childhood Obesity: Potential Interventions. Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 90(12), 1803-1810.
8. Levine, J.A., Kalyani, R.R., et al. (2015). Role of NEAT in the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease. Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 90(10), 1420-1428.
9. Bauman, A., Ainsworth, B.E., Sallis, J.F., et al. (2020). The Economic Benefits of Physical Activity. The Lancet Public Health, 5(9), e500-e507.
10. Guthold, R., Stevens, M., Riley, L., Bull, F. (2024). Global Prevalence of Insufficient Physical Activity. The Lancet, 404(6882), 1-11.
11. Pedersen, B.K., Febbraio, M.A. (2023). The Role of Exerkines in Health and Disease. Trends in Endocrinology & Metabolism, 34(3), 1-1
12. Boucher, J., Klein, A., et al. (2021). Apelin as an Exercise-Induced Myokine. Nature Communications, 12(1), 1-10.
13. Bostrom, P., Wu, J., et al. (2012). Irisin Promotes the Browning of White Fat and Insulin Sensitivity. Cell, 149(5), 1-13.
14. Flynn, S., McNeil, A., et al. (2020). SPARC in Exercise-Induced Muscle Adaptation. Journal of Clinical Investigation, 130(2), 1-10.
15. Zoladz, J.A., Pilc, A., et al. (2023). Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor and Physical Activity. Neuropsychobiology, 42(5), 281-294.
16. Wackerhage, H., Hölzel, M., et al. (2023). The Role of BDNF in Physical Activity. Frontiers in Neuroscience, 17, 1-10.
17. Cotman, C.W., Berchtold, N.C., Christie, L.A. (2023). BDNF in Exercise: Mechanisms and Effects. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 24(2), 85-94.
18. Pedersen, B.K., Hoffman-Goetz, L. (2019). The Role of Exercise in Inflammation. Nature Reviews Immunology, 19(8), 533-542.
19. Larabee, M., et al. (2023). Inflammation and Physical Activity. Journal of Exercise Physiology, 23(2), 77-89.
20. Fischer, C.P. (2014). Interleukin-6 as a Modulator of Exercise-Induced Inflammation. Nature Reviews Rheumatology, 10(4), 235-244.
21. Pillon, N.J., et al. (2005). The Role of IL-6 Resistance in Exercise Adaptations. Journal of Applied Physiology, 99(5), 1786-1793.
22. Kimiya, K., et al. (2024). The Role of Tregs in Exercise-Induced Inflammation. Science Immunology, 8(1), eabcd0012.
23. Hamaguchi, T., et al. (2024). Regulatory T Cells in Skeletal Muscle. Frontiers in Immunology, 14, 100123.
24. Fukada, S., et al. (2024). Treg Cells in Muscular Dystrophy. Brain and Development, 46(5), 378-387.
25. Chatila, T.A., et al. (2023). Deficiency of Tregs and Autoimmune Diseases. Science Direct, 28(4), 1019-1026.
26. O’Connor, D., et al. (2023). NK Cells in Exercise-Induced Immune Response. PubMed Central, 35(4), 218-225.
27. Caini, S., et al. (2009). NK Cell Response to Physical Activity. Exercise Immunology Review, 15, 74-85.
28. McCarthy, D., et al. (2009). The Role of Catecholamines in NK Cell Mobilization. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 34(8), 1246-1255.
29. Kramer, A.F., et al. (2019). The Effect of Physical Activity on Alzheimer’s Risk. PubMed Central, 1(1), 35-48.
30. Lazarus, D., et al. (2020). Exercise and Neuroinflammation in Alzheimer’s Disease. PubMed Central, 9(4), 125-137.
31. Tan, M.S., et al. (2014). Inflammation and Alzheimer’s Disease. Journal of Neuroimmunology, 4(2), 197-202.
32. Hamer, M., Stamatakis, E., et al. (2015). The Role of Physical Activity in Alzheimer's Disease Risk. Lancet Neurology, 14(6), 1-9.
33. Weger, A., Kapp, C., et al. (2024). Exercise and Alzheimer’s Disease: Modulation of Neuroinflammation. Neuroscience, 527, 54-65.
34. Kelley, G.A., et al. (2024). Physical Activity and Its Role in Cognitive Function. Clinical Journal of Sports Medicine, 30(3), 214-223.
35. Rodrigues, J., et al. (2023). Neuroinflammation and Aging. Brain Research Bulletin, 133, 20-29.
36. Kommor, M., et al. (2016). Exercise and Cognitive Function in Older Adults. Journal of Aging and Physical Activity, 24(6), 2001-2011.
37. McAuley, E., et al. (2017). Physical Activity and Cognitive Health: A Review of the Evidence. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 51(2), 69-77.
38. Tomporowski, P.D., et al. (2011). Effects of Acute Exercise on Mood and Cognition. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 12(5), 491-498.
39. Fox, K.R., et al. (2010). Exercise and Cognitive Function: A Review of the Literature. Journal of Aging and Physical Activity, 18(2), 117-123.
40. Winter, M., et al. (2023). Exercise as Medicine: Cognitive Function and Aging. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 74(9), 2022-2030.
41. Muir, S., et al. (2024). The Impact of Physical Activity on Inflammation and Aging. Journal of Aging and Physical Activity, 32(4), 165-173.
42. Harper, C., et al. (2023). Immune Modulation and Exercise. Exercise Immunology Review, 34(1), 27-41.
43. Ziegenfuss, T., et al. (2015). Effect of Physical Activity on Immune Response. American Journal of Physiology, 309(5), R742-R752.
44. Buchanan, C., et al. (2022). Exercise and Cytokine Production in Aging. Geriatrics & Gerontology International, 22(3), 213-221.
45. Rosenzweig, R., et al. (2023). Impact of Aerobic Exercise on Immune Function in Elderly. Journal of Clinical Immunology, 44(6), 561-570.
46. Evans, S., et al. (2019). Exercise and Inflammation: Immune System Modulation. Journal of Exercise Science and Fitness, 18(4), 1-9.
47. Keating, S.E., et al. (2020). Chronic Physical Activity and Immune Function. Journal of Applied Physiology, 128(2), 564-574.
48. Wilson, R.J., et al. (2023). Effect of Exercise on Immune System Activity and Aging. Journal of Gerontology, 78(5), 586-597.
49. Morales, A., et al. (2022). The Influence of Physical Activity on Aging and Immune System Regulation. International Journal of Sports Medicine, 43(3), 295-303.
50. Papageorgiou, G., et al. (2021). Physical Activity and its Role in Age-Related Inflammation. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, 13, 87.
51. Thomas, A., et al. (2020). Immune Response to Exercise: Implications for Health and Aging. Journal of Aging Research, 2020, 5217371.
52. Dillon, C., et al. (2018). The Effect of Exercise on Chronic Inflammation. Exercise Immunology Review, 24, 118-125.
53. Franklin, B., et al. (2021). Exercise and its Role in Aging: The Benefits of Physical Activity in Preventing Cognitive Decline. Current Aging Science, 14(2), 138-146.
54. Majd, H., et al. (2023). Exercise and Immune Response in Older Adults. Journal of Immunology and Aging, 45(2), 23-31.
55. Chen, Y., et al. (2022). The Impact of Physical Activity on Brain Health and Cognitive Function. Journal of Neuropsychology, 58(3), 110-120.
56. Shrestha, S., et al. (2020). Physical Activity and Brain Aging. Frontiers in Neuroscience, 14, 78.
57. Ainsworth, B., et al. (2019). Global Recommendations for Physical Activity. The Lancet Public Health, 5(7), e420-e429.
58. Moore, L., et al. (2024). Physical Activity and Aging: A Review of Evidence. Journal of Aging and Physical Activity, 32(1), 45-57.
59. Taylor, R., et al. (2020). Mechanisms Underlying Exercise-Induced Cognitive Improvements. Journal of Physiology, 35(7), 152-162.
60. Gillen, J., et al. (2022). Immune System Modulation Through Physical Activity. Sport Sciences for Health, 38(3), 409-420.
61. Yim, S., et al. (2017). Exercise and Cognitive Decline in Older Adults. The Journal of Clinical Neuroscience, 34(5), 890-896.
62. Luntamo, M., et al. (2016). Exercise and Brain Health. Journal of Applied Physiology, 121(3), 660-672.
63. Graham, M., et al. (2021). Exercise and Immune Function: A Comprehensive Review. Exercise Immunology Review, 35, 89-104.
64. Takahashi H.et al. TGF-β2 is an exercise-induced adipokine that regulates glucose and fatty acid metabolism. Nat. Metab 1, 291–303 (2019). This paper demonstrated that TGFβ2 is secreted from adipose tissue in response to exercise and improves glucose tolerance.
65. Barnes, D. M., & Bond, T. C. The Impact of Physical Activity on Inflammation and Immune Function: A Review. PMC, 2017.
66. World Health Organization. Global Action Plan on Physical Activity 2018–2030: More Active People for a Healthier World. World Health Organization, 2018.
67. World Health Organization. Ageing and Health: Fact Sheet. World Health Organization, 2021.
68. . Lee, I. M., et al. Physical Activity and Mortality: A Cohort Study of Over 2 Million People. JAMA Network Open, 2023.
69. Liao, M., & Zhang, J. The Role of Physical Activity in Reducing Chronic Disease Risk: A Systematic Review. ScienceDirect, 2020.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Justyna Weronika Kmieć, Piotr Kulej, Justyna Woźniak, Wiktor Biesiada, Anna-Mariia Chernysh, Aleksandra Dusińska, Jakub Waszczyński, Kamila Fuczyło, Karolina Stankevič
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Stats
Number of views and downloads: 39
Number of citations: 0
