Is it OK to exercise when you're sick?

13/08/2025 19 min
Is it OK to exercise when you're sick?

Listen "Is it OK to exercise when you're sick?"

Episode Synopsis


It might be the last thing on your mind when you’re congested and miserable, but we swear it’s a genuine question we get asked.When you’ve got exercise baked into your routine, do you have to take a break when you’re unwell?Norman and Tegan unpack the nuance of exercising when you’re sick – when you can, and when you can’t.References:The compelling link between physical activity and the body's defense systemModerate exercise induces trained immunity in macrophages | American Journal of Physiology-Cell PhysiologyHigher risk of upper respiratory tract infection post marathon running: when physical exercise becomes a threat to the immune systemSport and exercise during viral acute respiratory illness—Time to revisitExercise effect on symptom severity, morbidity and mortality in viral infections: a systematic review and meta-analysisEffects of 60-day bed rest with and without exercise on cellular and humoral immunological parameters | Cellular & Molecular ImmunologyThe effect of exercise training on the severity and duration of a viral upper respiratory illnessOrthostatic reactions and blood volumes after moderate physical activation during acute febrile infectionsExercising while sick won’t help you get over a cold faster – but it may prevent your next oneIf you enjoyed this episode, check these out!Can you train yourself to pee less?Why is everyone suddenly talking about seed oils?Is sitting the new smoking?