Viral Infection in Athletes

Most epidemiological and clinical studies suggest that systematic physical activity increases the body's immune capacity against infections. On the contrary, much evidence suggests that prolonged vigorous exercise training favors the development of infections, particularly viral ones. This twoway exercise effect is described as a “paradox” of exercise. Some theories have been developed about these adverse effects of exhaustive exercise on cellular and humoral immunity, such as open window theory, the J-curve, and the S-curve. However, some questions remain regarding the prevalence of these mechanisms, and the level of the exercise that leads to immunosuppression. Other factors favoring the onset of viral infections in athletes are stress, climatic conditions, incorrect nutrition, crowding, etc. The most common infections are viral infections of the upper respiratory tract, influenza, infection from the Epstein Barr virus. There is no information available to correlate the volume of physical stress with COVID-19 infection. The best preventive measures are to avoid exercising during a febrile infection, vaccination, adequate nutrition, and reduce stress..