Illness

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.