Exercising after a vaccination certainly gets the pulse pounding, but might it help to boost antibody levels? Researchers at Iowa State University believe that 90 minutes of mild to moderate-intensity exercise immediately following a flu or COVID-19 vaccine could increase immunity.
Participants who cycled on a stationary bike or went for a brisk walk for an hour and a half after getting a jab produced more antibodies in the following four weeks than those who sat or went about their daily routine after getting a jab, according to a new study published in the journal 'Brain, Behavior, and Immunity.' When the researchers used mice and treadmills in an experiment, they got comparable findings.
Antibodies are the body's "search and destroy" defence system against viruses, bacteria, fungus, and parasites. Vaccines assist the immune system in learning to recognise something alien and responding by reinforcing the body's defences, which includes an increase in antibodies.
"Our preliminary findings are the first to show that a certain period of time can improve the body's antibody response to the Pfizer-BioNtech COVID-19 vaccine and two influenza vaccinations," said Marian Kohut, main author of the research and a Kinesiology professor.
Third dose of mRNA vaccine wanes after 4 months: CDC study
Study finds almost 1 in 3 elderly develop long-Covid post infection
Study finds, New antiviral medicine combination highly effective against COVID-19