2010-11-02 13:31:59
By Michelle Roberts Health reporter, BBC News
Tips for fighting off a cold from members of the public and BBC Breakfast's Dr
Rosemary
People who exercise regularly are less likely to get a cold, researchers say.
A study of 1,000 people found that staying active nearly halved the odds of
catching cold viruses and, failing that, made the infection less severe.
Experts told the British Journal of Sports Medicine that this could be because
exercise helps bolster the immune system to fight off bugs.
But you may not have to actually do much exercise - those who merely think they
are fit enjoy the same lower risk.
Adults can expect to suffer two to five colds per year. This latest research
suggests there are lifestyle choices you can make to improve your odds of
either avoiding them, or suffering too badly from them.
For their study, US researchers asked the healthy volunteers to keep a record
of any coughs and sniffles they experienced over a three-month period during
the autumn and winter.
The volunteers were also asked to say how frequently in any given week they
would do exercise lasting at least 20 minutes and intensive enough to break a
sweat.
Start Quote
Exercise makes us feel better and now here's more evidence that it is good for
us
End Quote Professor Steve Field Chairman of the Royal College of GPs
And they were questioned about lifestyle, diet and recent stressful events, as
these can all affect a person's immune system.
Being older, male and married seemed to reduce the frequency of colds, as did
eating plenty of fruit.
But the most significant factors that cut colds was how much exercise a person
did and how fit they perceived themselves to be.
Feeling fit and being active cut the risk of having a cold by nearly 50%.
People who were physically active on five or more days of the week were unwell
with a cold for about five days of the three-month period, compared to nine
days for those who did little or no exercise.
And even when they were ill, they suffered less with their symptoms.
The common cold
who escape infection each year
touching contaminated surfaces such as door handles
The severity of symptoms fell by 41% among those who felt the fittest and by
31% among those who were the most active.
Lead researcher Dr David Nieman and his team, from Appalachian State University
in North Carolina, say bouts of exercise spark a temporary rise in immune
system cells circulating around the body that can attack foreign invaders.
Although these levels fall back within a few hours, each session is likely to
provide an immune boost to fight off infections like the common cold.
Professor Steve Field, chairman of the Royal College of General Practitioners,
said: "This is yet more evidence for doing exercise. It reflects what we have
believed for some time.
"Exercise makes us feel better and now here's more evidence that it is good for
us."