Reduce your risk of catching a cold, by exercising

Posted on 16. Nov, 2010 by Julia Barnard in exercise, health, Wellbeing Research

A study of 1000 people found those people who exercised regularly were half as likely to catch a cold. Perhaps this is not surprising, given the boost to the immune system exercise brings. However, the researchers also found that people who believed themselves to be fit also had the same reduced risk. Other factors that seemed to reduce the risk was being male, older, married and eating fruit. When colds were experienced, the most active people had less severe symptoms. The research was conducted at Appalachian State University in North Carolina.

Each time a person exercises, their immune system is given a boost. This is also beneficial with stress, which can lower our immune system, making us more vulnerable to health problems.

A difficulty with this study is that it relied on self-reports of illness. A person with a focus on exercise and fitness may be unwilling to report a cold, as it is at odds with their identity of someone who is healthy and fit.

Tags: exercise, health, illness, stress