Strength Training and the Immune System

[sword_]

Since I have been strength training I've noticed I've been more susceptible to colds, sore throats, etc than I have been when training just for mass gain. Especially when the change in weather comes I have to be really careful about this. Has anyone else noticed this?

When I feel normal I feel great, but I've noticed this in some of my friends who compete in strongman. I do primarily PLing and this has happened a bit more often.

[scottyhall]

Since I have been strength training I've noticed I've been more susceptible to colds, sore throats, etc than I have been when training just for mass gain. Especially when the change in weather comes I have to be really careful about this. Has anyone else noticed this?

When I feel normal I feel great, but I've noticed this in some of my friends who compete in strongman. I do primarily PLing and this has happened a bit more often.

Are you getting plenty of rest? Are you cutting?

[sword_]

Are you getting plenty of rest? Are you cutting?

I'm not cutting now. Rest, I think so. Only thing I have right now is a sore throat but we had a change in weather here so its not too bad.

[DJSTARER]

during periods of high intensity mixed with moderate to high volume I tend to get sick as well. 4-5 weeks out from meets is when this occurs most often (this is when my peak volume/intensity occurs). As the volume drops, I sleep better, have better sex, have a better apatite, and don't get sick.

Wash your hands more often, and stop biting your finger nails.

[ChAoSnPAIN]

Powerlifting does not, as an activity, depress your immune system. It will expose you to more pathogens, however, due to the exchange of skin and fluids on the bar.

Try washing your hands more.

[sword_]

Powerlifting does not, as an activity, depress your immune system. It will expose you to more pathogens, however, due to the exchange of skin and fluids on the bar.

Try washing your hands more.

I'm saying at times it gives pathogens opportunities for diseases. Going Max Effort all the time isn't good for you bro.

[scottyhall]

I tend to feel like my immune system is suppressed when I start accumulating fatigue... Deload perhaps?

[crackyflipside]

This is something Abadjiev touched on in one of his weightlifting lectures. He said the mechanism that was used by athletes to adapt to extreme training stimulus directly affects the immune system.

"In their adaptation there are some structures that are alike and some which are different. For instance, we won’t be concentrating on the blood circulation because we are not training outside, we don’t need to heat the body already. But naturally people who, for instance, cross country skiing, which exercise outside, they will need the adaptation of muscles as well as the adaptation of warming the body. It goes without saying that as they develop their muscles, the percentage of fat will be different, because they will need the fat to keep them warm. This is why for instance we which have not developed those kind of skills, it will be different for us to go outside, we will be less prepared than a person who has already developed himself to surviving in the cold.

This is why trainers from our circle that have done weightlifting and they have achieved some kind of high achievement in weightlifting, they cannot go and adapt themselves to other circumstances such as being out in the cold. That is why we have to concentrate on keeping ourselves healthy before competition. Athletes who are in excellent form and shape, the number of their . . . lymphocytes which means that the immune system is lower . . . when we concentrate on building up muscles and building up those particular systems, naturally strength has been taken from our other skills.

The T-lymphocytes that I was just talking about, they are the ones responsible for keeping those the connections between different muscles and organs, they have the ability to carry energy and then dissolve and give it into a different muscle or muscle group. So this is what I meant when I said the immune system is lowered. It means that with the lowering of the number of those T-lymphocytes that the immune system fails to perform at its normal rate. So you have to be extremely careful before competitions or when they achieve this hyper state of condition."

[NephilimRising]

Everyone is more susceptible to illness in the winter. Strength training requires a great amount of dedication, and when you can't get proper rest and nutrition due to other obligations you become even more susceptible to illness. Every single winter I get an upper respiratory infection that ushers in Asthma (Which I have to take oral cortico steroids for), but there are a lot of things I can do but don't do to ensure my well-being.

My List:

- Take an antihistamine tablet each morning
- Vitamin C
- Multivitamin
- Stop eating chickfilet everyday, fried foods aren't good for your immune system
- Eat more fruits and vegetables
- Proper rest
- Do school work ahead of time to reduce stress

Anything else I am missing?

Edit: Those netipots/nasal saline spray things are ****ing awesome. You will sneeze your ass off for a few hours to clear all the crap out of your sinuses, and then you will be good to go.

[slowman41]

can't really say I've been more susceptible, but I also drink coffee and green tea every day, which I imagine has some effect on keeping me healthy.

also supplement with ZMA with heavy training loads, and vit c when I'm feeling a cold coming on. Zinc is apparently huge for cold prevention.

Theres a british medical journal study that says those who are strongest are least likely to die though: http://killustrated.com/strength-facts-tshirt.html

[PanzeR-]

Right from my notes in training methodology:

Immune system can be supressed for as much as 30-60% 2 hours after an intense workout with resistant training or aerobic activity. (In some cases, depending on food intake, fatigue, time of the day, etc, supression lasts as long as 6 hours).

[blastbeats_stl]

i got swine flu in the gym last year. gyms are dirty as **** brah

[NephilimRising]

Oh yeah, get flu shots. Got mine a few days ago.

[simp3204]

i got swine flu in the gym last year. gyms are dirty as **** brah

I think we can all agree that gyms are dirty, especially PL and strongman gyms. Theres a chance that people are bleeding and definitely leaving skin behind. Your genetics also play a huge role in your immune system and how efficient it is. Some people are just more prone to the common cold and other diseases.

[corozco]

I get sick whenever I decide to be an idiot and skip on sleep due to tests, stupidity etc. IMO rest is a very important thing that can help prevent sickness.

[jmt92]

Rest, drink your water, eat your food, and take your multi vitamins.

I skimp out on any of these too much and I get sick. I haven't been really sick(as in not training sick) in almost 2 years now since I made sure to keep these things going strong.Oh and wash your nasty hands for ****s sake.

[LILFATBOI]

the more volume I do the better I feel.....sleep better etc....Have not been sick for over a year...I take apple cidear vinnegar in the morning mixed with turmeric that seems to help.

[Drew23]

I haven't been legitimately sick in at least 6 years.

[skills101]

Get into the habit of never touching your face with your hands. And supplement with 5-6g of Vit-C a day, at least 1 gram before and after the gym.

[Retardo-pex]

I'm saying at times it gives pathogens opportunities for diseases. Going Max Effort all the time isn't good for you bro.

The worst sickness I get is maybe a week long head cold once a year. If this were true every major athlete would be a sick a lot throughout the year, and every amateur strength enthusiast would be even more sick throughout the year.

I would be more likely to believe a lack of sleep, food or hygiene would be the cause not lifting heavy things.

[BuckWyld]

I take apple cidear vinnegar in the morning mixed with turmeric that seems to help.

I have a rock that keeps tigers away.

[chuckarock]

I haven't been sick since I've been in college. Eat right, eat a lot and sleep a lot.

I'm also of the camp believing that the more stuff you're exposed to, the stronger your immune system gets.

[Fluster]

I haven't been ill or had more than a 2 day runny nose since I stopped being a fat bastard and got fit (CV fitness), anecdotal it all you like, but since I smoke and drink I'm assuming it's not my clean living to thank.

[BEhave]

High intensity exercise suppresses the immune system for some time. Its a fact. I don't feel like pulling up a link to it, but I've read it in textbooks and I remember my health professor saying that.

Like others have said, just be careful, wash your hands, don't touch your face.

[TurtleApe]

Since I have been strength training I've noticed I've been more susceptible to colds, sore throats, etc than I have been when training just for mass gain. Especially when the change in weather comes I have to be really careful about this. Has anyone else noticed this?

When I feel normal I feel great, but I've noticed this in some of my friends who compete in strongman. I do primarily PLing and this has happened a bit more often.

I feel like its the exact oppisite, ever since I have started powerlifting I hardly ever get sick. I think I've had 1 cold and the swine flu within the last year