Volunteers needed to test exercise immune response

Researchers at the University of Birmingham's School of Sport and Exercise Sciences are looking for volunteers to take part in a study examining whether exercise can enhance antibody response to vaccination. The study will test the effect of a brisk walk on the antibody response to pneumococcal and influenza inoculations. Previous research carried out by the University has shown that people who complete a relatively intense bout of acute aerobic or weights exercise, prior to receiving a vaccination, have enhanced antibody responses to the vaccine. Joanna Long, Chief Investigator on the project said: "Our recent research shows that even low intensity weights exercise improves vaccination response. This suggests that you might not have to do very much exercise to get a beneficial effect. We are going to be examining the effect of a less intense aerobic exercise, brisk walking, on antibody responses to vaccination. "We know that the antibody response to vaccinations deteriorates with age.