Can intense exercise affect immune system?

ash2008

I keep getting sick lately, nothing serious,just colds and the like...but usually I would get sick maybe once a year so its a bit unusual for me. I started the Insanity workout recently and was wondering if there might be a connection.
The workouts are pretty intense, its interval training that you do 5 times a week (the 6th workout is more stretching so not interval training), but I can complete them and i dont feel any ill effects immediately afterwards. I also feel i have more energy in general, but it is only since starting Insanity that ive been getting sick more.

Now I know nobody can diagnose why im getting sick, Im not asking for that. Im just wondering if intense interval training can affect the immune system that way?:)

Hanley

Absolutely.

colman1212

Moderate exercise increases immunity and very intense training regularly will decrease immunity as far as I know. I'm no expert but would think it would also affect the central nervous system. I would also think that diet and supplementation would also play a role. Whats your diet like? 5 very intense workouts a week seem. I train 6 days a week but probably only 2 very intense days. Even professional athletes have a couple of days a week where they'll take it fairly handy.

wicklaman83

I was the same when i started. Then i started taking vitamin C in the morning and i've been fine.

Hardonraging

I did some cardio circuit last night, burst my self, seems i've a cold to day, deffo a link there.. prob didnt help i was swanning about in a t-shirt after ..

Zombienosh

Rest days and the right vitamins are important.....among other things.

billyhead

I would agree with this. Any time I ramp up the training my immune system goes to bits. Like at the moment I am suffereing from a chest cold. I had a 2 week bout of heavy training prior to contracting it

CM24

Happens to me when I train too hard on a low carb diet. Doesn't happen when I add a decent amount of carbs in post-workout. Also, check out this post by Eric Cressey on supplements for your immune system. http://www.ericcressey.com/invincible-immunity