Mitra
10-27-2006, 04:54 AM
Some interesting results reported here (http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/10/061026095359.htm)
(Men and premenopausal women - it's not that there's no benefit for you, just that this study happened to be done using postmenopausal women, so that's not an excuse, Missy ;).)
Through the first randomized clinical trial to investigate the impact of moderate physical activity on common-cold incidence, Cornelia (Neli) Ulrich, Ph.D., and colleagues found that postmenopausal women who exercised regularly for a year had about half the risk of colds compared to those who did not work out routinely.
...
However, Ulrich is quick to point out that regular exercise in moderation -- such as 30 to 45 minutes of brisk walking each day -- is the key; other studies have shown that excessive, exhaustive exercise can deplete immune function and increase the risk of colds.
...
The researchers found that the ability of moderate exercise to ward off colds seemed to increase over time. "The enhanced immunity was strongest in the final quarter of the year-long exercise intervention," Ulrich said. "This suggests that when it comes to preventing colds, it's really important to stick with exercise long term." Overall, the non-exercisers experienced about twice as many colds as the exercisers, but in the last three months of the intervention, the non-exercisers had a threefold greater chance of coming down with colds
(Men and premenopausal women - it's not that there's no benefit for you, just that this study happened to be done using postmenopausal women, so that's not an excuse, Missy ;).)
Through the first randomized clinical trial to investigate the impact of moderate physical activity on common-cold incidence, Cornelia (Neli) Ulrich, Ph.D., and colleagues found that postmenopausal women who exercised regularly for a year had about half the risk of colds compared to those who did not work out routinely.
...
However, Ulrich is quick to point out that regular exercise in moderation -- such as 30 to 45 minutes of brisk walking each day -- is the key; other studies have shown that excessive, exhaustive exercise can deplete immune function and increase the risk of colds.
...
The researchers found that the ability of moderate exercise to ward off colds seemed to increase over time. "The enhanced immunity was strongest in the final quarter of the year-long exercise intervention," Ulrich said. "This suggests that when it comes to preventing colds, it's really important to stick with exercise long term." Overall, the non-exercisers experienced about twice as many colds as the exercisers, but in the last three months of the intervention, the non-exercisers had a threefold greater chance of coming down with colds