KEEP MOVING, STAY YOUTHFUL

Exercise plays a crucial role in arresting the decline of our body’s defences.

Adipose tissue, or fat, is a source of inflammation, which is one reason why being overweight is a threat to health.

Many cells in our bodies produce cytokines, tiny signalling molecules that carry messages back and forth. Inflammatory cytokines communicate between the immune system and the rest of the body. One of the biggest sources of these little messengers vital to the innate immune system (the first responders) is skeletal muscle tissue. Inactive muscle tissue pumps out pro- inflammatory cytokines, while moving muscle makes anti- inflammatory cytokines to maintain equilibrium.

Numerous studies have shown that how much time you spend sedentary is a risk factor for ill health. The benefit of a morning run will be wiped out by sitting for 10 hours.

Tough, regular exercise boosts the adaptive immune system (responsible for building resistance to foreign invaders). The cells of the adaptive immune system are B cells, made by the bone marrow, and T cells, made by the thymus. After puberty, the thymus shrinks and is gradually replaced by fatty tissue. But a study of cyclists aged between 55 and 80 revealed they had a thymic output of T cells as good as a 20-year- old.

So get on your bike.