Does anyone know or have you experienced times when regular exercise actually lowers your immunity and you find that you are getting sick more often? I regularly attend a gym and also do some running and I have found that when I try to really push myself and increase my fitness, I inevitably end up with a cold/flu which knocks me out for a few weeks. I am otherwise healthy, eat well, don't smoke, under 30 and have been exercising this way for over 18 months so it's not a new thing. Any information or advice appreciated. Thanks!
2007-01-09 09:17:38 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Diet & Fitness
Sorry that's a typo, I am not feeling well. That should read immune system.
2007-01-09 09:46:50 · update #1
answer 1 + answer 3 = excellent advice.
2007-01-09 09:23:36 · answer #1 · answered by DishclothDiaries 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
1) Consistent exercise can actually increase your immunity. However, "really pushing yourself" -- whether exercising, not getting enough rest or eating too much junk food -- is a stressor on your body that can decrease your immune system.
2) When you work out at a gym, be sure to wipe down/spray equipment with antibacterial spray before using it if you are frequently picking up colds, etc. If someone is using the equipment before you who has a cold/flu (or getting it - may not even have any symptoms yet), you could pick the "bug" up by using the equipment after them.
3) Slowly increase your duration/intensity -- no more than 5%-10% a week -- In other words, if you are running for 30 minutes, do not increase your duration more than 3-5 minutes a week. Increase either duration OR intensity, but not both the same week.
2007-01-09 17:26:20 · answer #2 · answered by texaskelt 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes it does affect your immune system, it will boost it with the right amount of excersise, but if you over do it then it will lower it. Try and take at least a day or two off each week and decrease the intensity. A good way to judge is how it makes you feel, it should give you more energy not make you feel exhausted all the time. Sounds like you need to ease off.
2007-01-09 17:23:06 · answer #3 · answered by getfit chick 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It shouldn't be. Exercising boost our immune system. Maybe the gym that you're going to is full of germs and bacteria. Check their cleanliness practices and make sure that you're not with sick patrons. Also try not to push yourself to the limit, this might be one of the causes.
2007-01-09 17:27:37 · answer #4 · answered by egan 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not unless you are exercising to the point of exhaustion. Typically exercise boosts your health and thus boosts your immune system. If you are exercising to the point of falling over every day, the exhaustion can you leave you open to becoming sick. When you are exhausted, your body is spending more resources trying to recover from the exhaustion and does not have the resources to fight an infection or virus.
2007-01-09 17:21:36 · answer #5 · answered by Blunt Honesty 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Excersise does not "lower" your immune system.
You are catching the viruses from the gym. That's one of the 'best' (so to speak) places to get a common sickness like the cold or flu.
2007-01-09 17:21:27 · answer #6 · answered by nerveserver 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
it has to. think about it. you huff and puff running around in this cold weather and work up a sweat and then the germs can work their way into you through you big wide-open pores. every time i workout i get sick. not gonna risk it this year. feel great so far and enables me to stay longer with the boys at "Hooters" and have a few more brewskies!
2007-01-09 17:23:51 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
overexercise can mess up your immune system because it makes it more susceptible to germs because you are overworking it, but regular exercise is supposed to build your immune system up making it better able to fight off germs and diseases.
2007-01-09 17:24:23 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
no proof of this. it has been known to have a negative effect on your spelling however.
2007-01-09 17:21:33 · answer #9 · answered by Smiddy 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
NO IF ANYTHING IT HELPS
2007-01-09 17:26:54 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋