The question

Does physical activity in children play a role in enhancing the immune competence and reducing the incidence and prevalence of illness in Australian school children?

As widely publicized by the World Health Organization, regular physical exercise is an important element in the lifestyle of people, in particular children. Moderate intensity exercise in adults has been shown to have positive effects on the function of the immune system via alterations in markers of innate and acquired immunity. Over time, exercise-induced immune enhancement may translate to fewer days of sickness with the common cold and other upper respiratory tract infections.