David C. Nieman.PH., FACSM

Exercise and The Immune System

Dr Davis Nieman, a pioneer in the research area of Exercise Immunology, comes on the show to discuss the bodies Immune System, and the effect of exercise on immune function. He will dispel some common myths about Cold and Flu Viruses and when it is not safe to exercise when you are sick.

David Nieman is a professor of Health and Exercise Science at Appalachian State University, and Director of the Human Performance Lab at the North Carolina Research Campus in Kannapolis, NC. Dr. Nieman is a pioneer in the research area of Exercise Immunology and helped establish that regular moderate exercise lowers upper respiratory tract infection rates while improving immunosurveillance, and that heavy exertion increases infection rates while causing immune dysfunction. His current research is focused on nutritional countermeasures to exercise-induced immune dysfunction. Dr. Nieman has received $5.0 million in research grants and published more than 260 peer-reviewed publications, and sits on nine journal editorial boards. He is the author of nine books on health, exercise physiology, and nutrition, including Exercise Testing and Prescription: A Health-Related Approach (New York: McGraw-Hill, 2010, now in its 7th edition). Dr. Nieman has served two terms as president of the International Society of Exercise and Immunology, and is currently Vice-President of the American College of Sports Medicine. He has run 58 marathons and ultra marathons, and was an acrobatic gymnast and coach for 10 years. His marathon PR is 2:37, and he has run the Pikes Peak Marathon twice, with a 16th place finish.

Melanie Cole, M.S.

12 / 21 / 2010