Concept2 Forum

What are peoples opinion on training with a cold. My wife got a typical but persistant head cold but still continued to trian. I caught it 4 days later but have laid off the erg for 3 days now. I told my wife that training while you have colds/flu etc is not good. I remeber some report on Swedish orienteers that used to train with colds/flu and they developed cardiac conditions. Any thoughts/input?

<!--QuoteBegin-dikndi+Feb 19 2005, 10:07 AM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(dikndi @ Feb 19 2005, 10:07 AM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->What are peoples opinion on training with a cold. My wife got a typical but persistant head cold but still continued to trian. I caught it 4 days later but have laid off the erg for 3 days now. I told my wife that training while you have colds/flu etc is not good. I remeber some report on Swedish orienteers that used to train with colds/flu and they developed cardiac conditions. Any thoughts/input? <br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br />Unlucky you. I have managed to avoid all colds/flu's for the last 4 years (Of course not that I have said that I WILL get one next week )<br /><br />I have always understood that if the cold is above your neck, then you'll be OK with lighter than normal training. Watch your HR to make sure your not pushing too hard. All illnesses require the body to work harder to fight the infection, leaving less 'capacity' for other stuff, including excercise.<br /><br />If the infection is down in your lungs, you'll want to lay off for awhile to avoid making the condition worse. Many a pnemonia (sp!) has started by streneious excercise in cold weather.<br /><br />I have not heard of the Swedish orienteers. Any links?<br /><br />Good luck and get well soon.<br />

Here is a link I found <a href='http://eurheartj.oupjournals.org/cgi/co ... t/17/6/902' target='_blank'>http://eurheartj.oupjournals.org/cgi/co ... 902</a><br /><br />Kind of backs up what you are saying about the above and below the head theory.<br /><br />Sadly, we are experienceing an increase in the amount of URTI and gen. colds at the moment. The surrounding area hospitals have been going on by-pass (effectively refusing patients by ambulance) frequently. Hoipefully it will end soon.<br /><br /><br /><!--QuoteBegin-SimonB+Feb 19 2005, 10:19 AM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(SimonB @ Feb 19 2005, 10:19 AM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin--><!--QuoteBegin-dikndi+Feb 19 2005, 10:07 AM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(dikndi @ Feb 19 2005, 10:07 AM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->What are peoples opinion on training with a cold. My wife got a typical but persistant head cold but still continued to trian. I caught it 4 days later but have laid off the erg for 3 days now. I told my wife that training while you have colds/flu etc is not good. I remeber some report on Swedish orienteers that used to train with colds/flu and they developed cardiac conditions. Any thoughts/input? <br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br />Unlucky you. I have managed to avoid all colds/flu's for the last 4 years (Of course not that I have said that I WILL get one next week )<br /><br />I have always understood that if the cold is above your neck, then you'll be OK with lighter than normal training. Watch your HR to make sure your not pushing too hard. All illnesses require the body to work harder to fight the infection, leaving less 'capacity' for other stuff, including excercise.<br /><br />If the infection is down in your lungs, you'll want to lay off for awhile to avoid making the condition worse. Many a pnemonia (sp!) has started by streneious excercise in cold weather.<br /><br />I have not heard of the Swedish orienteers. Any links?<br /><br />Good luck and get well soon. <br /> </td></tr></table><br />

How appropriate. I'm sitting here with a bit of a head cold and yes I did my rowing workout today. I tend to keep rowing unless the symptoms get more severe. My scheduled workout tomorrow is an 18K and unless I have a miracle cure overnight I will probably cut that back to an easy 6K or 8K. It feels good to get the heart rate up a bit but I don't want to tire myself out.<br /><br />Frank

The routine for sickness is simple:<br /><br />-Upon first feeling of sickness stop training.<br />-Wait until the third day without training, now the characteristics of the illness will have shown. You could have had a fever coming so lucky you are who didn't train the past days.<br />-If no illness in throat or below you are ok to do a low intensity session that evening.<br />-Otherwise wait it out. If possible try to sit or stand for some minutes straight even if it feels bad. This helps avoid deterioration and recovery to fitness when you start training again. <br /> <br />also: remember to eat even if you don't burn much and don't feel hungry, otherwise you will be stripped of your muscles, and possibly prolong the sickness. <br /><br />Good luck!

I think I remember something in a Men's Health magazine saying that light training on a cold is okay. But training with a flu is ill-advised. Of course, I don't think many would be inclined to workout with a flu anyway.

<!--QuoteBegin-akit110+Feb 19 2005, 10:11 PM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(akit110 @ Feb 19 2005, 10:11 PM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->I think I remember something in a Men's Health magazine saying that light training on a cold is okay.  But training with a flu is ill-advised.  Of course, I don't think many would be inclined to workout with a flu anyway. <br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br />You would be surprised.<br /><br />I live close to a lady who trains x-country EVEN WITH A FLU. She's crazy, then again she's from Finland so..... she calls it "Intestinal Fortitude", I call it crazy.... <br /><br />She is the best ski'er I know, really really fit and health. A role model to many youngs girls from the school teams she coaches.<br /><br />No shouting from the Fin's please.... <br /><br />

I ran a 5 mile race with the flu, won't do that again. I think if you have a light cold and no flu, working out is ok, it helped me get well very quickly.

<!--QuoteBegin-dikndi+Feb 19 2005, 11:07 AM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(dikndi @ Feb 19 2005, 11:07 AM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->What are peoples opinion on training with a cold. My wife got a typical but persistant head cold but still continued to trian. I caught it 4 days later but have laid off the erg for 3 days now. I told my wife that training while you have colds/flu etc is not good. I remeber some report on Swedish orienteers that used to train with colds/flu and they developed cardiac conditions. Any thoughts/input? <br /> </td></tr></table><br /> One should really not row with a cold . I believe there was a study of runners who ran with viral type colds . They experienced more cardiac rhythym disturbances ( PVC's or premature ventricular contractions ). That is when you feel your heart do the big monster flip-flop skip-a-beat thing . There is an outside possibility that this might develop into a less efficient cardiac rhythm ( like , help , I'm Dying! ) The more practical issue is that your body needs REST to get over the nasty virus . If you don't rest , and you overexert yourself , it is very easy to get a secondary bacterial infection , either in the chest or your sinuses .The nasty virus damages the natural defense mechanism or mucosal barrier that you have in your airways and sinuses , making it easier for the bacteria to set up shop . Interestingly enough , after a cold , the airway lining does not return to normal for 4-6 weeks . I am a doctor , and I LOVE to exercise . I got a head cold , and , of course , did not take my own common sense advice . I was working out , both weights and aerobics ! So , I got a bacterial bronchitis . Now it is resolving , with antibiotics . This viral/bacterial thing was so bad that it left me slightly short of breath . So, I had my PEFR ( Peak expiratory flow rate ) checked . That is basically how hard and fast you can exhale . It was reduced , so , my ENT doctor friend has me taking a steroid/bronchodilator inhaler for about two weeks . Now , I'm not an asthmatic at all . There are some really bad bugs out there ! If you work out at a gym , make sure you hand wash! Hey , don't do what this dumbo did !