Flu and colds When sports are not dangerous

If you prefer to stay at home again: Sport can be deadly in case of infections!

Fever and sport just do not go together. If you are ill, go to bed! We have summarized the five most important reasons why sports are harmful to the body during an infection and also answer the question of when to start again.

contents

• If you prefer to stay at home again: Sport can be deadly in case of infections!
• Body defense in stress
• 1. How long does it take to wait for the training to resume??
• 2. Are there colds, where sport is safe?
• 3. Are there any sports that are more suitable for mild colds than others?
• 4. Can you "sweat out" diseases?
• 5. What is the right stint??

Since you have overcome his inner bastard schonmal, you have finally mustered the necessary motivation to do sports regularly - and then you get sick. Should we now pull ourselves together and still do our stint, or rather play it safe??

In case of a harmless cold, it is justifiable if you continue to train moderately - provided that you feel capable of doing so. But generally, caution should be advised. In some cases, you'd better cure yourself than do sports. "These include, above all, feverish viral infections," says Professor Dr. med. Ingo Froböse of the German Sport University Cologne. Especially viral diseases can spread through sports in the body and in the worst case attack the heart.

If the immune system can not kill the viruses, sometimes an immune or inflammatory reaction smolders. This can grow into myocarditis (myocarditis), which can sometimes be life-threatening.

The result of an infection caused by virus infection is an increased activity of the immune system that fights the pathogen, in many cases also fever. Anyone who does sports with a viral infection such as a flu is robbing their bodies: "One has to imagine that in such a situation, two stress factors act on the body, so to speak," explains Dr. med. Axel Preßler, senior physician at the Center for Preventive and Rehabilitative Sports Medicine of the Technical University of Munich. "The infection itself and the extra effort of sport."

Body defense in stress

"Of course, moderate sport in healthy condition is basically no stress for the body," continued Preßler. "But here the balance shifts, and especially in too intensive efforts, the immune system is also claimed so that there are simply not enough reserves for the virus defense." The same applies to bacterial infections. They too demand the body's defense. And again: take care and follow the advice of your doctor!

1. How long does it take to wait for the training to resume??

"After illnesses associated with fever, you need to take a longer break. If you only had a slight cold, you may exercise again at the latest as soon as the symptoms have resolved, "says Froböse. After feverish infections, for example, you should take a break for at least a week - in case of doubt, consult the doctor. In addition, one should not immediately demand his maximum performance again. The feeling of dullness after a flu often lasts longer. That's natural. Listen to your body and slowly increase until you train after a few days of training back to your usual level.

2. Are there colds, where sport is safe?

"Ultimately this is always an individual decision and depends essentially on the subjective condition and objectively on the existence of general symptoms, so everything is not limited to a 'runny nose'," says Pressler. Studies have shown that a mild cold (without side effects such as sore throat, cough or fever) is not a reason to take a break from exercise. Subjects did not show aggravated symptoms even after exercise. But again, if you just do not feel good, you better do not do sports. Sometimes a walk in the fresh air is enough to keep you moving.

3. Are there any sports that are more suitable for mild colds than others?

Froböse advises: "If you are fever-free, outdoor sports such as walking or Nordic walking are recommended. Maximum strength is taboo, because this dampens the immune system. In addition, you should pay attention to warm - but not too warm - clothes. "The weather is crucial. Avoid physical stress in extreme temperatures - whether very cold or very hot. The reactions of your body to such extreme conditions make the work of your immune system difficult.

4. Can you "sweat out" diseases?

That depends on the intensity of the training. If the physical strain is not too great, do a favor with your defenses with a little exercise. "Sport increases both the quantity of policemen in your immune system and the quality of their work," says Froböse. But only to a degree: If the load is too high, sweating is counterproductive. Sweating with fever is basically beneficial - but please warm packed in bed! Follow your doctor's recommendations and ensure adequate fluid intake!

5. What is the right stint??

Be sure to listen to her body! In most cases, you will feel when you should not do sports when the health is bad. Important: In case of fever, you must not be exposed to any sports or other stress. If the symptoms are very easy and you do not want to give up your training, then it is recommended to at least reduce the workload significantly. And as soon as you are completely well again: off in the sneakers! (Fs)