부산대학교 도서관

Exercise refers to body activities through skeletal muscle contractions. Skeletal muscles produce various myokines like an endocrine organ, and many myokines promote the proliferation of immune cells while increasing the expression of cell adhesion molecules, thereby enhancing the movement of more immune cells and activating the immune system. Interleukin-6, the first identified important myokine, exhibits inhibition on the activities of pro-inflammatory cytokines that could prevent cardiovascular diseases and metabolic syndrome caused by long-term chronic inflammation. The myokines induced by exercise are also responsible for the cross-talk among skeletal muscle, the immune system and other tissues to maintain physiological stability and health. Past studies have reported that persons maintaining exercise habits experience shorter and less severe periods of upper respiratory tract infection. In conclusion, regular and moderate exercises enhance the regulatory activities of skeletal muscles on the immune system, and is one of the best ways to improve immunity.