REAL LIFE NEWS: SEE, I TOLD YOU EXERCISE WAS GOOD FOR YOU!
by Hazed
This year hasn’t been too bad as far as influenza goes. So far, there hasn’t been a major outbreak and overall flu rates have been relatively low this winter.
But in case you’re worried about catching flu in future epidemics, you may be able to prevent it by the simple expedient of exercising, because a new study suggests that doing at least two and a half hours of vigorous exercise each week can cut your risk of developing the illness.
The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine surveyed around 4,800 people as part of their annual online flu survey, which tries to track as much data as it can about who does and does not get flu.
Among many other things, the respondents are asked how many hours of “vigorous exercise” they do each week. By that, they mean running, fast cycling or competitive sports – the kind of thing that leaves you breathless, sweaty and with a pounding heart.
After taking the survey, people were asked to log in each week and note whether they have any symptoms of flu.
The result, according to the researchers, is that 100 cases of flu in each 1,000 (or 10%) could be prevented just by doing something vigorous. Moderate exercise, on the other hand, didn’t have any effect.
So to cut your chance of getting sick, go running. Or you could do what I do: get the flu jab and stay slumped in your chair!
