Have a Cold? Rather Rest!

Administrator (admin) on 21/06/2013

You’ve got a slight cough, your throat is sore, your nose is running and you feel just the tiniest muscle ache. Now youÂ’’re wondering if you should still go for that run.

Is running with a cold bad for you, or will you recover faster if you run? Here’Â’s what you need to know. –

Many people believe that exercising will actually boost their immune system and help them recover more quickly. But most doctors disagree. Evidence is strong that if you are feeling fatigued, feverish or really stuffy, working out will probably make you feel worse.

According to some physicians, there is a fairly simple way to decide if you should take it easy or not and it’s called the “neck up – neck down” rule.

If your symptoms are from the neck up, meaning you have sniffles, a runny nose, headache and perhaps a very mild cough, it’s probably okay to go for an easy jog. The key is to make sure you have no difficulty breathing during or after your run. Definitely cut back though: Experts agree that going at one third your normal pace might be the best way to proceed and if you feel worse a few hours later. Give yourself a few days’ worth of rest.

If your symptoms are primarily neck down, that is you’ve got a deep chest cough or a fever, you should skip your run session altogether until you feel much better. Chest pain means you most likely have inflamed tissue in the lungs and working out will cause an even worse inflammation. Sleep and rest are the better choice.

The body knows what’s best for you:– it’s a matter of listening closely. Take your cue from the professionals. They know that skipping a workout for the time it takes to recover from illness will have no adverse affect and that the body will quickly renew itself once they get back on their program.

Source: http://www.runnersworld.co.za

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