Monique Rana - When Not To Exercise

There are times when you should NOT exercise such as after a major operation or after an acute sports injury. Working out with a minor cold is a lot different than if you have the flu. Below I’ve listed a few things that you may need to curb your exercise programme:

As a general guide for exercise and illness, consider this:
1.    The Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise conducted a study on whether an upper respiratory illness limits your ability to exercise. The researchers compared the results of breathing and exercise tests conducted on subjects infected with the virus most commonly responsible for colds against health controls. The study found that having a cold has no effect on lung function or exercise capacity.

So to clarify; exercise is usually OK if your signs and symptoms are all "above the neck" — symptoms you may have with a common cold, such as runny nose, nasal congestion, sneezing or minor sore throat. Consider reducing the intensity and length of your workout, though, or you may feel worse. Instead of going for a run, take a walk, for example. However, there are times when exercise is not conducive to your health and well being.


Times to refrain from exercise are if:

• You have a fever. Or your symptoms of a cold are all “below the neck. “Working out can cause your body temperature to rise even higher, which could lead to heatstroke. A fever indicates your body is fighting an infection, so put all your energy towards resting and getting well.
• You’ve got the flu Head to your couch, not the gym. Skip your workout until you recover. With the flu comes a fever, so heed the rule not to exercise when you have a fever.
• You’ve recently had concussion: Do not exercise or participate in any sport until your doctor says it is safe to do so -- even if you feel OK. A concussion is a traumatic brain injury, and your brain needs to heal properly. “If another head injury occurs due to exercise before the [concussion] has healed, the brain is put at an increased risk of swelling and potential catastrophic damage,” says Stephen Rice, MD, PhD, a fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine.
• You experience nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, which can result in dehydration. Avoid exercise until you've completely rehydrated your body and symptoms disappear.
• You felt a sharp pain the last time you exercised. Do not work out until you see a Doctor/Physiotherapist/Osteopath to rule out an injury. If you exercise anyway, you may make the injury worse. Although it is expected to feel soreness after you work out, it is never OK to feel sharp pain.