Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41168772›Full record

ReviewImmunity & ageing : I & A2025

The influence of structured physical activity on vaccination response from adults to older individuals: a systematic review on the Immunoinflammatory crosstalk of COVID-19.

Bruna Maria Palotino-Ferreira, Saulo Vasconcelos Rocha, Albená Nunes-Silva, Antonio Felipe Souza-Gomes, Francisco Rodrigues, Patrícia Coelho, André Luís Lacerda Bachi, Rodrigo Assunção de Oliveira, Marcelo Paes de Barros, Guilherme Eustáquio Furtado

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Immunity & ageing : I & A, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
4citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

4 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Lifelong Exercise as a Modulator of CD4European journal of clinical investigation · 2026
    Review
  3. Article
  4. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Bruna Maria Palotino-FerreiraState University of Sudoeste da Bahia, José Moreira Sobrinho Avenue, s/n - Jequiezinho, Jequié, BA, 45205-490, Brasil.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8368-1459
Saulo Vasconcelos RochaState University of Sudoeste da Bahia, José Moreira Sobrinho Avenue, s/n - Jequiezinho, Jequié, BA, 45205-490, Brasil.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8655-5151
Albená Nunes-SilvaLaboratory of Inflammation and Exercise Immunology, Postgraduate Program in Health and Nutrition, Nutrition School , Federal University of Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5236-3124
Antonio Felipe Souza-GomesLaboratory of Inflammation and Exercise Immunology, Postgraduate Program in Health and Nutrition, Nutrition School , Federal University of Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7293-1213
Francisco RodriguesSPRINT - Sport Physical activity and health Research & Innovation Center, Polytechnic University of Castelo Branco, Polytechnic University of Castelo Branco, Castelo Branco, Portugal. franciscobrodrigues@ipcb.pt.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8405-4249
Patrícia CoelhoSPRINT - Sport Physical activity and health Research & Innovation Center, Polytechnic University of Castelo Branco, Polytechnic University of Castelo Branco, Castelo Branco, Portugal.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9862-0691
André Luís Lacerda BachiPostgraduate Program in Health Science, Santo Amaro University (UNISA), São Paulo, 04743-030, Brazil.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8266-1416
Rodrigo Assunção de OliveiraInterdisciplinary Program in Health Sciences, Institute of Physical Activity Sciences and Sports (ICAFE), University Cruzeiro do Sul, São Paulo, 01506-000, Brazil.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7648-8458
Marcelo Paes de BarrosInterdisciplinary Program in Health Sciences, Institute of Physical Activity Sciences and Sports (ICAFE), University Cruzeiro do Sul, São Paulo, 01506-000, Brazil.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3565-8331
Guilherme Eustáquio FurtadoPolytechnic Institute of Coimbra, Rua da Misericórdia, Lagar dos Cortiços S. Martinho do Bispo, Coimbra, 3045-093, Portugal. guilherme.furtado@ipc.pt.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8327-1567

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundAmidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, understanding factors that influence vaccine efficacy is crucial, particularly in older adults. Regular physical exercise and/or structured physical activity (SPA) has emerged as a potential modulator of immune responses, enhancing vaccine effectiveness. This systematic review aims to consolidate current evidence on the impact of SPA/exercise on both immune and inflammatory responses to COVID-19 vaccination in adults and older individuals.

methodsMost relevant studies were extracted from indexed databases using health subject terms in English, Portuguese, and Spanish. Studies that examined the impact of regular exercise or SPA on inflammatory and/or immunological responses in relation to COVID-19 immunization were selected. In particular, all chosen studies included individuals who received vaccinations either prior to or following the exercise regimen or SPA, and the main goal was to evaluate these effects on immunological and/or inflammatory reactions induced by vaccination.

resultsAmong the 7 studies included (n = 1149), the effects of regular exercise or PA on vaccine-induced immune responses while concurrently assessing inflammatory markers were examined. The findings suggest that moderate to high-intensity structured physical activity (50-70% of maximum heart rate for aerobic exercise and 60-80% of 1RM for resistance training), performed 3-5 times per week, was able to enhance immune responses to COVID-19 vaccination, particularly by mitigating chronic low-grade inflammation. Acute exercise can transiently boost immunity, whilst engagement in moderate SPA over a period of six months may contribute to sustained improvements in immune function, especially in older adults. However, these findings should be interpreted with caution due to variability in study design, sample characteristics, and potential confounding factors.

conclusionRegular exercise and SPA play a significant role in improving immune/inflammatory responses to COVID-19 vaccination. Older adults, in particular, may benefit from regular SPA and exercise as a strategy to counteract immunosenescence and optimize vaccine efficacy. However, further research is needed to better refine exercise protocols and determine long-term benefits in different populations.

Indexed as

CovFlu vaccinesJ-Shaped curvePhysical exercisePsychobiological stressUpper respiratory tract infector

Identifiers

PMID41168772
PMCPMC12577296

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.