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Expert Q&A
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| By Catherine Cram, M.S. Postpartum Fitness Expert Exercise Physiologist | ||
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I've heard that exercising on a regular basis can make you develop a cold or become sick. Is this true?
Exercising on an irregular basis will not cause a person to become sick, although it may increase your chance of becoming injured. People who are "weekend athlete" (i.e. exercise only on weekends or infrequently) may overdo their exercise when they do decide to engage in an athletic activity. Their muscles and joints are not used to the increased level of activity and may become injured. As well, if your immune system is stressed from poor diet or lack of sleep, an acute heavy bout of exercise may further stress a person's immune function, especially in someone who doesn't consistently exercise (at least three to five times a week for 30 minutes or more)."
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