tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-198843833237575122.post1371076953938126954..comments2023-12-27T22:31:19.008-07:00Comments on The Bike Nazi: Does cycling prolong a cold?Bikeboyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17379272663647894409noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-198843833237575122.post-21436493807977130302010-02-19T14:06:39.468-07:002010-02-19T14:06:39.468-07:00I think it could go either way. Without going into...I think it could go either way. Without going into great detail, I've always found moderately-rigorous physical activity to be a somewhat cleansing activity, both in the lungs and the sinuses. In that sense, I'd guess that cycling helps to flush out the germs before they can get in and estblish themselves. Also, I read something last year that talked about how elevated body temperature causes the white blood cells to be "stickier", which helped explain how a fever helps fight infection. The theory was that this explained why frequent exercisers don't tend to get sick as often or as severely as sedentary folks. (I think the article came from Men's Fitness or Maxim or one of those renowned journals of medicine, so take it with a grain of salt.)<br /><br />On the other hand, I think rapid, deep breathing (Or gasping) may help spread infections from the sinuses throughout the lungs. So it could go either way. I know that I seldom get sick, but when I do, it's a whopper.Scottnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-198843833237575122.post-78661427787811187292010-02-15T08:22:14.379-07:002010-02-15T08:22:14.379-07:00Had just that debate (internally) this morning. Ro...Had just that debate (internally) this morning. Rode in the rain with a little head cold. I slowed down just a bit, but not much, as I didn't want to stay out in cold, wet conditions any more than I had to. <br /><br />For me, cycling seems to do more good than harm when it comes to colds. On a bike, I can suddenly breathe through my nose...dbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09527673886975332497noreply@blogger.com