Exercise Immunology: Aging, Nutrition and Athletes

The 4th International Symposium on Exercise and Immunology was held at the Eur Parco dei Medici Holiday Inn in Rome, Italy, on May 21 - 23, 1999, organized by the Institute of Sports Medicine, University of Paderborn and the local organizing committee (Carlo Tranquilli M.D., Chair; Sergio Bonini, M.D.; G. Sergio Del Giacco, M.D.; and Carlo Rumi, M.D.). Sixty-nine presentations were given from researchers representing 17 different countries. The theme of the exercise immunology conference was “aging, nutrition, and athletes”, highlighting the growing interest in exercise and nutrition in ameliorating the immune consequences associated with aging and the continued interest in sports.

The highlight of the meeting was a keynote address entitled “Vitamin E, Immune Response, and Infectious Diseases: Fact or Fiction” given by Simin Meydani Ph.D., D.V.M. (Tufts University, Jean Mayer United States Department of Agriculture Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging). She highlighted her work on the role of vitamin E in improving immune function in the elderly. This work is summarized in a recent review article (Nutr. Rev. 1998; 56: S 49 - 58). Several review lectures outlined the state of knowledge in immuno-gerontology, hormonal regulation of the immune response, mucosal immunology, and the elite athlete and the importance of nutrition. A summary of these review lectures can be found in this supplement. Also included are abstracts from the 56 free communications presented at the symposium.

ISEI would like to give a special thanks to the local organizing committee and especially Dr Carlo Tranquilli for his tireless efforts in organizing the symposium. Thanks also go out to the Heinz Nixdorf Foundation/Essen.