A nasty scratching in the throat, the nose is running and still stands on a running unit – Sport in case of a cold, is that a problem? Since many people do not feel overly affected by the complaints, they ask themselves the question of whether you can do sports despite the cold. Depending on the severity of the symptoms and the general state of health of the patient, different recommendations apply. Read all important information about sports for cold here.
Sport with cold: is that possible?
In the case of a cold, the mucous membranes of the upper airways are usually attacked by viruses. This gets the immune system on the scene. Combating the pathogen weakens the body, which is why you often feel tired or tired during a cold or flu. Sport also challenges the body. During training reserves are touched, heart and muscles work intensified, circulation and pulse rise. The double burden of cold and sport thus means a high load. Sport with a cold is thus “stress” for the body. In general, therefore, the combination of sports & cold is not recommended.
However, there are different recommendations for, for example, a strong or just a slight cold. Sport is not just sport. Extreme stress such as a marathon or another competition should not be expected when you have a cold. Similarly, exercising at the performance limit during a cold is not healthy. Professional athletes who are in the middle of a training phase, talk best with a doctor, to what extent they can do sports in case of a cold. For hobby athletes and recreational activities, there are the recommendations listed here.
Slight cold
During a light cold sport is often still unproblematic. If you have no other symptoms apart from a runny nose, you can do sports despite the cold. But you should only train lightly during the cold phase. Do not use interval training, anaerobic pulse training and long-term stress during cold sports. Also, make sure that you are dressed warm enough and do not cool off during breaks. In training breaks, a warm jacket protects against cooling. After completing training, you should slip into dry and warm clothing as soon as possible.
Sport with a cold: When you should take a break!
Although cold sports are allowed in spite of mild infections, you should refrain from doing so for a certain benefit. An indication that you absolutely should refrain from sports when you have a cold is a sore throat. Although sore throat can be a typical cold sign. Often, however, they are harbingers of tonsillitis, which is mostly caused by bacteria. These get into the body faster during a cold than in healthy people. They can then spread relatively quickly and also spread to other organs such as the kidneys, the liver or the heart.
If you get a fever, you should definitely refrain from sports with a cold. Although fever can be a symptom of a flu infection. It may as well be the result of a bacterial infection. Again, there is a risk that the bacteria spread in the body and spread to other organ systems.
The biggest danger in sports with a cold is that in a secondary infection bacteria infect the heart muscle. Such heart muscle inflammation (myocarditis) is very dangerous, can cause lasting damage and may be life-threatening.
Even if symptoms such as fever or sore throat are suppressed by the use of painkillers or antipyretic drugs, you must not exercise in case of a cold. Although the medication relieves the symptoms, your body is still weakened and copes with stress and other pathogens worse.
Jogging in case of a cold?
About the question “Jogging with a cold?” The opinions of the professional world are far apart. There is consensus, however, on the recommendation that you should first and foremost listen to your body. Jogging for a cold is possible if you have only a slight cold or cough. But you should be careful not to overdo it and stop when you feel tired or tired.
As soon as you feel really sick, have a fever, or a sore throat, you should stop doing jogging when you catch a cold. During exercise, circulation and blood circulation are stimulated. This can also spread the pathogens in the body easier than if you save yourself. The biggest danger is an inflammation of the heart muscle even when jogging with a cold. Even if you suppress the symptoms with the help of medication, you should not weigh in false safety: jogging with a cold is still taboo!
Sports after a cold?
After a cold, you should take it slow with the sport at first. Before your first workout, you should be drug-free for at least two days without symptoms. Start with a low load first and train the first few times only in the light endurance range. Immediately start up your old exercise load with maximum load, risking a relapse. After a fever fever, you should not start exercising until about a week later. This is the time the body needs to recover.
Sport in case of a cold: Tips
Some people are particularly prone to infections. Especially in winter, then: Start slowly to train. The body needs a little longer in colder temperatures to get to the right operating temperature.
During the winter, do some sports during the midday or afternoon time. So you can fill up on sunlight, which allows the body to produce vitamin D – and this is not only important for the bones, but also for the body’s defenses.
Basically you should listen to your body when it comes to sports for colds. If you feel limp and ill, it’s best to do without it altogether. However, if you feel that a light exercise would be good for you, there is nothing wrong with a slight infection. For infections that are associated with fever, sports with cold is taboo.