Work it – Should you workout with a cold or stay on the couch?
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As temperatures decrease, snot levels increase. Gross, but true! (effective visual, no?) But according the an excerpt from the American College of Sports Medicine, the incidence of colds can be greatly reduced by making exercise a part of daily life. David C. Nieman, DrPH, FACSM, explains “that multiple studies have shown a 25- to 50-percent decrease in sick time for active people completing at least 45 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise (such as walking) most days of the week.”
“This reduction in illness far exceeds anything a drug or pill can offer,” Nieman said. “All is takes is a pair of walking shoes to help prevent becoming one of the thousands predicted to suffer from the common cold this winter.”
But what do we do if we are already sick? Do we hit the gym or stay tucked in bed watching cartoons intellectually deep movies??
Nieman offers these tips:
- DO exercise if your cold is confined to your head, such as illnesses with runny noses and sore throats.
- DON’T overdo it. If you have a cold, keep exercise to a moderate-intensity level (i.e., walking). Studies have not shown any negative effects of moderate exercise for those suffering from common colds.
- DO stay in bed if your illness is “systemic” – that is, beyond just the sniffles of a regular cold. Respiratory infections, fever, swollen glands and extreme aches and pains are all good reasons to rest up instead of work out.
- DON’T jump back in too soon. If you’re recovering from a more serious bout of cold or flu, gradually ease back into training after at least two weeks of rest.
Do you plan on receiving the flu shot? If so, Nieman also advises exercising prior to receiving the injection. “Moderate-intensity exercise just before getting the shot has been shown to improve the body’s response to the vaccine, boosting immunity.”
Do you normally continue working out or take it easy when you have a cold?
2 Responses to “Work it – Should you workout with a cold or stay on the couch?”
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Amanda (Two Boos Who Eat) said:
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K said:
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