It has been a while since I have been able to go to they gym. Part of the reason I was indisposed was because I was fatigued and sick. Usually this does not stop me and I will work out no matter how I feel. But I decided to take some time off and in the process did some research about if that is a good idea or not.
I found pieces of a study that the ACSM did about if exercise is beneficial when your under the weather. They came up with a basic rule to go by. If the symptoms are above the neck like, a headache, stuffy nose, or scratchy throat it is safe to do something active. It all comes down to what type of sickness you have, or think you have. If it is a type of bacteria, you should be okay to workout, but not if it is a virus. When in doubt, ask a physician and they will tell you what you are capable of doing and what you should not do. Lastly, if you have a fever, stay in bed.
However, if you have the usual common cold or sniffles, working out may help in speeding up recovery time. Working out can also increase the white blood cell count, making it easier to fight off disease. Obviously one should not work out if they do not feel up to it. If you are feeling physically weak, have any chest congestion, or body aches then you should rest.
If you do decide to work out depending on your condition, keep the exercise to a comfortable level. Your immune system is already weak and working out to strenuously could weaken it even more leaving you open to more sickness. The exercises should be light intensity and primarily cardiovascular. Putting undue stress on the body is detrimental especially when it is not a hundred percent.
Hope this helps, it certainly made me more aware.
For the full article:
http://media.www.dailyvidette.com/media/storage/paper420/news/2009/03/24/News/Exercise.May.Be.Beneficial.When.Sick-3680114.shtml
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When I am usually feeling under the weather with a cold or something, after I exercise I feel so much better. I think that he rule you found is a good one to follow that; if symptoms are above the neckline then it is safe to do something. But sometimes I also feel like when you are under the weather you just need to take it easy depending on the severity of your illness.
ReplyDeleteGoing to the gym is something I do everyday. I love working out because it makes be feel better and stronger. When I am sick I usually feel the exact opposite. Even if I have a head cold and I try to run I feel like I cant breathe and I dont have as much endurance as I usually do when im not sick. I also feel like if I work out when I have a head cold coming on it further increases my symptoms because I am not allowing my body to rest. But like you said I guess it depends on how serious the cold is and everyones different but if it makes some people feel better while their sick thats awesome! great post!
ReplyDeleteThese are great advices and its good to know because usually when Im sick i dont like to do anything because i feel wick, now i know that doing excersice i can get throug it faster than just stayin in bed all day. Thanks Good post
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