Got A Cold - Should You Work Out?

A recent study sponsored by the American College of Sports Medicine indicates that exercising moderately while you have a common cold doesn't affect the severity or duration of the symptoms.

It's a widely excepted notion that exercising and keeping in shape will reduce your risk of getting sick, but nothing has been previously documented to demonstrate whether working out while suffering from a cold would reduce or intensify the symptoms.

The common cold affects us all, with the average American getting sick up to six times a year, but will exercising when you're not feeling well, increase or decrease your ability to battle the illness, and reduce symptoms?

The study, headed by Thomas G. Weidner, Ph.D., Ball State University in Munice Indiana, involved 50 moderately fit student volunteers, who were divided randomly into two groups: exercising and non-exercising. Each volunteer was injected with the cold germs, and tracked for a ten-day period.

The subjects all kept a daily log of physical activity. The exercise group worked out either by running, biking or using a step machine for 40 minutes every day, at no more than seventy per cent of their maximum capacity (measured by heart rate reserve).

Upon completion of the study and after analysis of exercise data, symptom severity, and actual mucous weight measurements, there was shown to be no significant difference in symptom severity or duration in the exercise group or in their inactive counterparts.

The study revealed that exercising at a moderate intensity level does not intensify cold symptoms or compromise the immune system. It seems that a moderate level of intensity is not enough to alter immune response.

Reader beware, high intensity exercise such as heavy weight lifting or high intensity aerobic training has been shown to have a negative impact on the immune system during a cold or any respiratory infection.

Symptom to Exercise Guidelines:

Runny nose, sneezing, scratchy throat only Safe to exercise at low intensity levels.

Fever, dry cough, sore muscles, vomiting, diarhrea Exercise not recommended, resume more intense physical activity when cold, or infection is gone.

About The Author

Michael Stefano is a captain on the New York City Fire Department, as well as author of The Firefighter's Workout Book, The 30-minute-a-day, Train-for-life Program for Men and Women. He is also managing editor, and writer of many articles on health and fitness at www.firefightersworkout.com, (where you can sign up for a FREE Train For Life Newsletter). Michael Stefano's articles have appeared on such internet giants as America On Line, Yahoo!, and eDiets.com

---

The Importance of Stretching Exercises

Muscles and connective tissues shorten over time and that results... Read More

Yoga

Yoga traditionally conjures up images of long hair, loin cloths... Read More

Stretching and the Warm up ? Are You Confused?

Lately, I've been receiving a lot of questions referring to... Read More

Great Exercises To Tone & Tighten Your Butt

A question I am frequently asked by females is, "What... Read More

Exercise Motivation: 7 Sure-fire Tips

So you've begun an exercise program to get in shape... Read More

4 Exercises That Will Help You Change Your Body Faster Than Any Other Exercises You May Have Tried

1. Lunges with a barbell. Properly executed, this exercise is... Read More

The Lactate Threshold ? Reality or Fallacy?

For many years exercise science has perpetuated the concept of... Read More

The Importance Of An Active Lifestyle

Over the past 15 years or so, we have been... Read More

The Power Workout:

Scenario: I really want to get in shape, but I... Read More

How To Get Started With Exercise: The Magic Pill Of Your Weight Loss Program

In a previous article, I mentioned the weight loss mantra... Read More

When Exercising Right Looks Wrong

For most of us we live in a black and... Read More

How to Start a Walking Program

Did you know that walking is the number one participation... Read More

Top 10 Reasons To Exercise In The Morning

If I had to pick a single factor that I... Read More

Triathalon Racing, It Starts At The Beginning

Long before you can enter into triathalon racing, you will... Read More

Core Strength Limits Arm and Leg Power

Core training has become such a hot topic in the... Read More

10 Workout Mistakes Cheaters Make

"When I'm lifting free weights, I tend to go pretty... Read More

Doing vs. Performing: The Difference Between Exercising and Getting Results

Back when I was young and living on my parents'... Read More

Life Walking: Dont Walk Just For Exercise - Change Your Life

"Life walking" is more than walking for exercise and fitness... Read More

Recognize Your Motivation to Exercise

The positive effects of exercise have been documented and reported... Read More

2 Exercises to Avoid

If you want a good night, then avoid two of... Read More

The Top 10 Reasons Why Your Dog is a Great Workout Partner

1) He or she is never late for a workout... Read More

Stretching Exercises

Stretching exercises are important before you begin your workout. Always... Read More

After Exercise Headache - More Serious Than You Think?

It's surprisingly common - you're exercising, everything's fine, and then... Read More

Core-Principles: The Function of Functional Training

Okay?okay?okay! Enough already!!! It seems like with every new term,... Read More

Toning Your Abs - Common Exercising Myths

1. The 'Chew Then Crunch' MythCrunches are good exercises for... Read More

Fitness the Goddess Way: Movement vs. Exercise

I was excited to hear the esteemed speakers at the... Read More

Pilates Exercises ? Can They Give You The Body Youve Always Wanted?

Pilates exercises are a favorite fitness choice for many people... Read More

Is Exercise Making You Feel Worse?

I'm sure you've heard the following statement over and over... Read More

Fitness Focus: Overcoming Obstacles

If you're like me, the quest to be in shape,... Read More

Tone Up While at Work

I know better than anybody that sitting at a desk... Read More

The Bad Workout: Some Advice for Female Bodybuilders

Bad workouts. We have all had them at some time... Read More

Sets And Reps - The High And Low Weight Workout

Big weights! Wicked pump! I always get caught between two... Read More

5 Little Known Benefits of Warming Up & Cooling Down After Exercising

While working out in the gym, I have noticed that... Read More