Should i play sport with a cold

Whatever you do, just listen to your body and take it easy. It is the one circumstance in which working out while sick is probably okay, though, as long as you keep it light. Weight Loss. United States. Type keyword s to search. Today's Top Stories. Taraji P. Accessible Beauty Products For All. How do colds affect your ability to exercise?

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You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano. Advertisement - Continue Reading Below. More From Cold And Flu. In the other side, if the symptoms are below the neck, like a diarrhea or a fever, then you should absolutely not play at all and rest your body.

However, I think it is a useful quick guide in the topic. By using the warm clothe, you sweat a lot more, helping your body refresh to decrease the body temperature, helping to alleviate the fever. One day, my cousin invited me to a 7 vs 7 informal game at a turf field. That day I had an awful cold and was feeling not very well. I had a headache, a slight fever, and a runny nose. I took the decision to go and play, not being completely sure about it.

I think that after ten minutes my throat started to sore A LOT. I could barely breathe, and I started to feel super weak. I reached a point where I had to quit the game because I felt I was about to faint.

I have never felt so bad in my life like that day. What I am trying to say is not to believe these myths completely. Sometimes they will be helpful, but other times you are the one that needs to make the call to play or not. Here are two factors that I think are the most important to consider whether to play or not with a cold or flu:.

There are different levels of illness. Some colds may be super slight but others may be super rough. I admit that I have played many times with colds and everything turned out great. But I did it knowing what I was capable of doing and how I could perform on the field. How bad do you feel? In most colds your immune system is fighting and making a great effort just for the fact of being alive. Now imagine how it would feel if you put additional stress to it by playing a sport like soccer that demands so much stamina and physical conditions.

Remember that most colds are contagious and you run the risk of passing the disease to your teammates, which could be even worse. Try taking a non-drowsy decongestant to help fight your symptoms. If your energy level feels good enough, you can head to the gym: just dial back the intensity of your workout.

Think of your fellow gym-goers, too: Make sure you wash your hands , wipe down your equipment after use, and cough or sneeze into your shoulder rather than your hand to reduce the risk of spreading your germs to others. If your symptoms are below the neck — coughing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea — or system-wide, like fever or joint aches — you should flat-out skip your workout.

Plus, not only will you likely not be able to tolerate your normal routine, but attempting it could also put you at risk for respiratory problems, dehydration, dizziness, or even passing out. The type of exercise you perform while sick doesn't matter as much as the intensity. For instance, if you were set to do some sprints, try jogging instead. If you're a fitness class junkie, it may be a good idea to skip the group workouts for a solo session.

As previously mentioned, you'll want to avoid spreading germs by sneezing in the middle of a crowded class. Drew Watson, M.