Can Exercising Help You Get Over a Cold Faster?

Can Exercise Ease Cold Symptoms or Speed Up Recovery?

There is no evidence to suggest that exercising while sick will help speed up recovery or improve symptoms, said Elena Zamora, MD, a family medicine physician at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston.

When Is It Best to Do Less Intense Exercise or Skip Altogether?

If you’re fit and exercise regularly, it’s generally fine to continue working out at a lower intensity, said Inderpal Randhawa, MD, a board-certified internist, pediatrician, pediatric pulmonologist, and medical director of the Children’s Pulmonary Institute at MemorialCare Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital Long Beach. However, if you’re not very active or have overweight or obesity, it’s probably better to rest.

When Is It Safe To Work Out Again?

It is generally safe to exercise once your symptoms are above the neck. Just do so gradually, Zamora added. If you’re still experiencing cough or fever, it’s best to skip your workout, and definitely do not exercise if you’re feeling winded during normal daily activities, Randhawa said. "If you’re still unable to exercise weeks after recovering from a cold, you should seek medical advice as it could indicate a more serious issue."

Conclusion

While regular exercise can help strengthen your immune system and reduce the risk of infections like the common cold, don’t feel pressured to exercise if you’re sick. It likely won’t speed up recovery time. Experts recommend focusing on resting, staying hydrated, and consulting a healthcare provider if your symptoms don’t improve.

FAQs

• Can exercise help speed up recovery from a cold?
  • No, there is no evidence to suggest that exercising while sick will help speed up recovery or improve symptoms.
• Is it okay to exercise with a cold?
  • It’s generally fine to continue working out at a lower intensity if you’re fit and exercise regularly. However, if you’re not very active or have overweight or obesity, it’s probably better to rest.
• When is it safe to work out again?
  • It is generally safe to exercise once your symptoms are above the neck. Just do so gradually.
• What if I’m still experiencing symptoms after a few weeks?
  • If you’re still experiencing symptoms, you should seek medical advice as it could indicate a more serious issue.

Sources

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Benefits of physical activity.
2. Jones AW, Davison G. Exercise, immunity, and illness. In: Zoladz JA, ed. Muscle and Exercise Physiology. Elsevier; 2019;317-344. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-814593-7.00015-3
3. Simpson RJ, Campbell JP, Gleeson M, et al. Can exercise affect immune function to increase susceptibility to infection? Exerc Immunol Rev. 2020;26:8-22.
4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About common cold.
5. American Lung Association. Can you exercise with a cold?