The impact of physical exercise on immune response to COVID-19 vaccination.
Official title: Adjuvant effect of physical exercise on immune response to COVID-19 vaccination and interactions with stress
Funded at Iowa State University · NIH-10922671 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at whether doing some exercise when you get your COVID-19 vaccine can help older adults build a stronger immune response, and it’s for anyone interested in how staying active might boost the effectiveness of their vaccine without causing more side effects.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Iowa State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ames, United States) |
| Project start | September 6, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $191,250 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AI169330-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10922671 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals aged 65 and older who are receiving a COVID-19 vaccine.
✕Less likely to help
Patients under the age of 65 or those who are not receiving a COVID-19 vaccine may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how physical exercise performed at the time of COVID-19 vaccination may enhance the immune response, particularly in older adults. It aims to determine if exercise can serve as a non-pharmacological adjuvant to improve vaccine efficacy without increasing side effects. The study will explore the relationship between exercise, immune response, and factors such as age and health status, with the goal of identifying effective protocols that could be widely implemented. Participants may engage in specific exercise routines to assess their impact on antibody and T cell responses post-vaccination.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved vaccine responses in older adults, enhancing their protection against COVID-19.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results regarding the benefits of physical exercise on vaccine responses, suggesting that this approach may be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
Iowa State University
Ames, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kohut, Marian L — Iowa State University
- Study coordinator: Kohut, Marian L
Related research
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Improving COVID-19 Vaccination and Health for Underserved Communities
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.