SHOULD I TRAIN WHEN SICK........
In short NO ……But its also the Coaches favorite comment of DEPENDS…..So why?
There used to be a saying that below the neck no and above the neck its ok as long as its light/short/easy, but it’s a little more complicated than that. Of course below the neck we are generally dealing with bronchial issues and we need our lungs to be fully operational to perform exercise. Therefore, a headache/head-cold/fever it should be ok then. Well with headache yes as cycling is a low impact sport and this will open blood vessels increasing blood flow and easing the headache, but fever is another thing entirely. So, lets look at what is happening then if we exercise when unwell.
ELEVATED HEART RATE……AND MORE
This is a minor issue as you will FOR SURE be de-hydrated have aching muscles, maybe joints too …Plus you FEEL LIKE S**T!! Add into this that training will impair immune system function due to the increase in stress hormone production that occurs following an intense workout.
I CAN SWEAT IT OUT……
NO, YOU CAN’T!!! It’s a myth, on the back of exercise keeps you fit and prevents you from being ill. For sure doing regular exercise helps fight off infection it doesn’t when you are already sick.
THE RISKS…..
1. Fluid loss in the body decreases muscle strength and makes an athlete feel more tired.
2. Exercise raises body temperature making an athlete feel far worse.
3. Exercise causes the body to lose water through sweat increasing the risk of dehydration especially if you have vomiting or diarrhea.
4. Ear infections (remember that above the neck rule) can cause imbalance and dizziness putting you at risk from serious injury.
5. Chest symptoms is a no-no – chest tightness, difficulty breathing or coughing WHY do you want to try to work out…..
CONCLUSION….
Pushing yourself when sick will only lead to MORE time away from training. The body cant do it all with recovering from training and illness- something will snap leading to EVEN MORE time off the bike. Remember REST TRUMPS S**T WORKOUTS…..There is NO fitness lost with a week off the bike – Your body needs the rest so take it ….