Exercise Or Not When You Are Sick?
Some say that when you are sick, for example, with a cold, you must move to stimulate our immune system. Others, on the other hand, claim that total rest allows you to recover faster. Who is right? Is it variable from one person to another or is there a medically recognized absolute truth?
Exercise And The Immune System
We often hear that regular physical activity is excellent for health, because, in addition to helping to control our weight, it regulates the secretion of different hormones and helps strengthen the immune system.
Therefore, you may think that a weakened immune system needs to be stimulated through physical exercise … but this is not always true! When our symptoms are too virulent, the body needs all available immune resources to recover. Exercise strengthens the immune system when we are in good shape, but a weakened body needs more immune resources than normal. Therefore, intensive exercise added to the fatigue caused by the disease can, on the contrary, weaken us even more rapidly.
Obviously, everything depends on the disease in question and the virulence of the symptoms observed.
What symptoms?
Generally, we agree that when symptoms feel above the shoulders, there is no objection to training. When these are seen mainly under the shoulders, it is better to rest for a few days. Thus :
We can train if we have:
- Runny Nose
- Nasal congestion
- Sore throat or pain
- Sneezing
- Mild to moderate headaches
Exercise is avoided in case of:
- Fever
- Cold
- Pains
- Excessive tiredness
- Bronchial congestion
- Cough
- Stomach aches
- Headache
Listen To Your Body
In addition to the recommendations above, it is essential to know how to listen. If you feel the need to get some fresh air and go jogging, even with a low fever, it probably means that your body is ready to strain.
In any case, and even if you are not delighted with the idea of interrupting your training routine, it is better not to be too demanding of yourself until you are fully recovered. A little exercise is not harmful, but too much could delay healing. Therefore, we favor shorter and less intensive training periods, and strive to stay well hydrated.
Thinking Of Others
Colds, flu and other similar diseases are often transmitted from person to person through contaminated objects (door knobs or safety handles on training equipment) and during projections due to coughing or sneezing. To avoid transmitting our illness to everyone, even if we want to train, we avoid the gym and choose to run outside or use our old bicycle for once.