Putting exercise to rest

a woman with a sore neck Can exercise be detrimental to your health? Joanne Christie discovers working out isn't always the best idea

I should have seen it coming. The 'buy one, get one free' antihistamine offers in the pharmacies had been replaced by similar deals on cold and flu remedies, and every time I went out in public it felt like people were coughing and spluttering in my direction. Still, it was a nasty surprise to wake up one day with a fuzzy head and a sore throat. Like many people, I tried to fight it, but after a few days it became clear I was losing the battle, miserably.

One emergency appointment at the doctor later, and I was under strict instructions to rest. It wasn't just a cold, but a tonsil infection and the only cure was painkillers, gargling salty water, and staying at home, said my doctor. My timid 'so I guess the gym is out of the question?' was greeted with a look of bewilderment, and a firm 'yes'.

Okay, admittedly I didn't actually feel like working out, but I still felt guilty about not doing it. While some people might relish the chance to give up exercise for a couple of weeks, others, like me, can't stand the thought of all their previous hard work going to waste. I mean, what's the worst that could happen if we work out when we're a bit under the weather?

For a start, exercise can have the effect of prolonging an illness, says John Buckley, an exercise physiologist.

'If you have the flu or a cold, your immune system is struggling, so by exercising you're potentially adding insult to injury,' he warns.

Studies have consistently found that exercising is a good way to boost your immune system and keep infections away, but it's unlikely to have the same effect if your health is already compromised.

A good rule of thumb, says Craig Williams, an associate professor in the school of sport and health sciences at the University of Exeter, is employing what's sometimes referred to as the 'neck check'.

'If the source of cold and flu is from the throat upwards, it is probably okay to continue training, though you might want to reduce the intensity,' he explains. 'But if the symptoms appear to be going from the throat into the chest, or if there is achiness or fever, it is definitely advisable to stop training.'

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Putting exercise to rest