Q: Should you exercise
when you have a cold?
A: Yes, you can exercise when you have the
common cold. Exercise increases the
body’s temperature and dilates blood vessels to allow more oxygen rich blood to
be transported throughout the body.
The following
positive impacts results from exercising while dealing with a common cold:
•
Helps clear congestion.
•
Helps reduce the aches and pains caused by
colds.
•
Helps reduce headaches and sore throats caused
by colds.
•
Keeps people in the exercising habit and helps
avoid gaps in exercise sessions.
Research has also
found the following:
•
Colds do not impair lung function during
exercise.
•
Even though you feel fatigued, exercise
performance is not impaired with a cold.
•
Post exercise, people generally feel better
and cold symptoms were the same or reduced.
So, when should you
not exercise?
•
When you have a fever or the flu.
•
When you have chest congestion (Bronchitis /
Pneumonia).
•
It is also not prescribed to increase the
exercise intensity level when you are sick.