Effects of Physical Exercise on Hematological Parameters and Immune Function in Young Adults: A Comprehensive Review

Physical exercise is widely recognized an important determinant of health, contributing to cardiovascular fitness, metabolic regulation, and immune function. Emerging research suggest that physical activity (exercise) has been linked to hematological alterations, which have been reported to affect leucocytes, red blood cells, and thrombocytes depending on factors such exercise type, duration, and intensity. Additionally, a number of factors have an important role, such as the popularity of training, inflammation associated with exercise, age, gender, ambient conditions, and the individuals' nutritional state. Most hematological studies seem to focus on older people with pre-existing conditions or professional athletes, ignoring the healthy young adult population whose exercise routines are often self-directed and not under medical supervision. This review establishes the association between exercise frequency and blood cell count in young adult population. This review further highlights the physiological characteristics of young adults and lifestyle factors affecting health in young adults. The growing responsibilities associated with adulthood being the reasons why young individuals might not have as much time to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Over time, less healthy lifestyle practices define health trajectories into adulthood, raising the chances of morbidities and chronic disease in the future. Evidence states that consistent moderate exercise enhances immune function and overtraining can lead to detrimental alterations in the immune system. Understanding these relationships is essential for building a healthy lifestyle habit, perform moderate physical exercise and disease prevention strategies among young adults.