Sport for colds

When sport only makes sense again

Is sport useful for colds or harmful to health? Sport is generally not a good idea for a cold. The body is then dependent on rest and recovery in order to be able to regenerate. In the case of a sore throat,fever and Co., sport is not only not fun, but in the worst case can even have negative consequences. As useful as exercise may be in general, sports for colds should be left behind. Read here when you can start exercising again after a cold.

When they catch a cold, many passionate athletes ask themselves whether they can continue to train. On the one hand, you don't want to give up your training plan, but on the other hand, exercise should not pose any health risks if you have a cold.

In general, the following applies: The body signals us quite clearly when it needs rest. With a cold, the immune system is busy defending itself against the viral infection. In the case of a cold, exercise can put a strain on the immune system and thus worsen the infection, which is why exercise only makes sense again after the cold.

If you still do sport, this can have a negative effect on your recovery - therefore sporting activities should be avoided to protect the organism. To prevent your body from reacting to exercise and exertion when you have a cold:

In case of fever, you should not do sports under any circumstances. Because fever is a sign that the immune system is running at full speed and pathogens have to be massively combated. In the worst case, the infection spreads throughout the body and can trigger secondary diseases, such as inflammation of the heart muscle.

If it is a flu, which is typically accompanied by fast and severe symptoms, you should also definitely refrain from exercising.

Does the same apply to a mild cold and exercise?

With a mild cold, which is hardly accompanied by symptoms, moderate exercise is sometimes possible. However, you should find the balance between the positive effects of the sport and the support of the body through appropriate protection. The top priority at this point is also to listen to your own body. Because even a slight cold does not necessarily have to be able to cope with sports well.

In addition, even a mild cold carries a risk of infection for other athletes. Also, for the sake of your fellow human beings, refrain from training in the gym and remember that a cold is contagious. Especially in closed rooms and among many people, the probability is high that cold viruses will spread.

When to start exercising again after a cold depends, among other things, on the severity of the infection. After a mild cold, exercise is possible after the symptoms have subsided - provided you feel well enough and start light training.

The situation is different with sports after a cold with stronger symptoms or even the flu. In this case, it is advisable to avoid a few days of physical exertion. Stay patient and wait until all complaints have subsided. Especially with a cold with fever you should give yourself enough recovery time. Otherwise, the cold could be delayed and the infection will occur again.

_{¹IQVIA Pharmatrend MAT08/2020}