A specialist in internal medicine has cautioned that running too hard, too often, without allowing the body to recover can temporarily weaken the immune system, according to Tribunnews.com. The warning came from dr. Mustopa, AIFO-K, FINASIM, who practices at Nirmala Suri Hospital in Sukoharjo, during a health talk broadcast on the Tribunnews and Tribun Health YouTube channels on Saturday, September 18, 2026. The session was titled "Jangan Cuma Flexing Strava! Kenali Tips Aman Lari," roughly meaning "Don't Just Show Off on Strava! Know Your Safe Running Tips."
Dr. Mustopa said the immune benefits of running only materialize when the activity stays within reasonable limits. In his words, as reported by Tribunnews.com, if someone runs excessively, at too high an intensity, every day without rest, that pattern can actually reduce the body's immunity.
He described the phenomenon as a temporary dip in immune defenses following exercise, using the term "immunosuppression post exercise." His guidance was straightforward: running in moderation and on a regular schedule can support good immunity.
The remarks land as running events of various distances have become increasingly common, drawing large numbers of participants — from first-timers to seasoned runners chasing personal bests. Tribunnews.com's coverage of the talk was split across several related articles, including guidance on whether to run while feeling unwell, advice against beginners immediately chasing speed, a recommendation that people with obesity start with brisk walking rather than running, and a suggestion that those taking up running in their 40s get a health check first.
Why it matters
Running is widely promoted as one of the most accessible ways to stay fit, and its reputation for supporting immune health is well established. Dr. Mustopa did not dispute that. His point was about dosage.
According to Tribunnews.com, he explained that running can help the immune system by improving blood circulation, allowing immune cells such as neutrophils and lymphocytes to reach sites of infection more quickly. That positive effect, however, is distinct from what happens when the body is subjected to an excessive training load.
The distinction matters for anyone who assumes that more training always delivers more health. Dr. Mustopa's warning suggests the opposite can occur when rest is treated as optional. For people signing up for races or following training plans built around daily high-intensity sessions, the message is that recovery is part of the program, not a break from it.
Consistency, not daily intensity
The doctor's advice reframes what consistency should mean. In the Tribunnews.com account, being consistent involves keeping a regular exercise schedule while also setting aside time for recovery. Training plans, he suggested, should be built around a person's own fitness level rather than copied from someone else's targets.
That guidance cuts against a common habit in running communities: measuring progress against other people's paces, distances, and streaks. Pushing through fatigue to keep a daily high-intensity routine does not automatically translate into greater health gains, according to his explanation.
The talk also touched on practical questions runners face, as reflected in Tribunnews.com's companion articles. One addressed whether it is acceptable to run when feeling under the weather or coming down with "masuk angin," a colloquial Indonesian term for feeling unwell, with the doctor setting out conditions for doing so. Another advised beginner runners not to pursue speed right away. A third recommended that people with obesity begin with brisk walking instead of running. A fourth suggested a health check for those starting to run in their 40s.
Taken together, the guidance points in one direction: match the activity to the person, and build up gradually.
What to watch
The broader takeaway from the session is that immune support from exercise depends on balance — regular activity at a sensible intensity, with recovery built in. As running events continue to fill calendars, the question for participants is whether their training schedules leave room for rest. Tribunnews.com's full coverage of the talk, including the companion articles on running while unwell, beginner pacing, obesity, and health checks for older newcomers, remains available for those who want the details.
