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I_am_Enos t1_itppmfr wrote

Imagine that. People who exercise are generally healthier. Wouldn't have ever guessed that.

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IndigoFenix t1_itqyksm wrote

A strong immune system does tend to multiply the effectiveness of a vaccine though, not just add extra resistance on top of it, because vaccination works though the immune system.

A strong immune system is like having fit and healthy soldiers, while a vaccine is giving them experience and knowledge in fighting a particular enemy. Either one is better than neither, but if you've got both they build off each other.

You can see this in practice by comparing vaccinated and unvaccinated relative illness percentages in different age groups; vaccination reduces infection and illness in all age groups, but the efficacy is higher in younger people. Which seems unfair since they generally need it less, but that's just the way it works.

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brainburger t1_itqfyl8 wrote

The study does directly propose the matter of non-causal correlation in the introduction. The purpose seems to be to test whether its that, or is it that exercise enhances the vaccine.

>Background Both vaccination and physical activity have been shown to independently decrease the likelihood of severe COVID-19 infection.

>Objective To assess the association between regular physical activity and vaccination against COVID-19 among healthcare workers.

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Kailaylia t1_itqsfqq wrote

Conversely, people who are generally healthier, exercise more.

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brainburger t1_itqx2by wrote

Imagine if it transpired that exercise degraded the vaccine though. That would be worth knowing.

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Kailaylia t1_itqy3jo wrote

That's a painful notion. I'm just glad it does not work that way as I cannot stay healthy without exercise.

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brainburger t1_itskwp7 wrote

It might have just meant abstaining from exertion for some days after vaccination. That's speculation though.

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Kailaylia t1_itsoxjl wrote

In Australia young men were being told to take it easy for a while after getting the Pfizer vaccine. - because of the possibility of it causing heart problems.

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Potential_Limit_9123 t1_itrrcwp wrote

If they really wanted to do something, they could have created three arms and had people exercise for different levels (and maybe throw in a non-exercising group). Until then, healthy user bias rears its ugly head.

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