Words Glenn Phipps – Exercise Physiologist at The Movement Lab

estrada optotere 8-05-14  MG 5501.CR2 7DFour grommets who had to decide… to surf or not to surf, in this oh-so-chilly weather, with mugs that are full of snot… Photo: Estrada, from Surfing Life 312.

This time of the year sees the bravest of souls taking refuge in the doona, as their mates crumble from the dreaded man-flu. Whilst many may stay safe through some herbal voodoo, most of us will probably falter to a cold and flu at some point. And as long as adults continue to ignore basic hygiene, like washing hands and covering mouths whilst coughing (don’t get me started), that ain’t gunna change. So put the goji berries down and read on to make your best choices during the flu season.

The cold virus is the most common type of infection in the world, no thanks to you and your grubby mates spreading filth everywhere. Most people fight of the snotty little invaders through a healthy immune system, but exercise and activities such as surfing, depending on how you approach it, can both help and hinder your immunity.

People who do some sort of moderate exercise seem to get fewer colds. As a moderate physical activity, surfing fits this category. But if you’re struggling to make it out (in other words, copping it), or you’re buzzing around snaking everyone in sight, it becomes a high intensity exercise – this is an important point, as performing high intensity exercise is generally associated with more colds and flus. This also goes for anyone exercising for long durations. Both of these styles of exercise are six times more likely to get a cold or flu. So out in the water this icy time of the year, relax, and don’t stay out for hours on end.

estrada taranaki 1-05-14  MG 4718.CR2 6DYeah ok, let’s go, let’s have a moderate exercise crack… Photo: Estrada

Whilst your mum may have told you things like being out in the cold will make you catch a cold, and that you’re a very handsome boy (or girl), they were probably lying to you. You can’t catch a cold from being cold – however, there are some theories that lower body temperature can make the actual cold virus less permeable to our little immune invaders. So if your mate is coughing around you, rug up. But being cold alone won’t give you a cold.

So, the big question – should you go for a surf if you have a cold or flu?

General advice is to stay under the doona if symptoms are below the neck (fever, etc), and have a fairly easy and shorter surf if above (head cold), providing you feel ok after the first 10 minutes. One inconsiderate mongrel actually carried out a study, whereby he infected some poor buggers with a cold and made them exercise (read it here). He found that moderate exercise didn’t make their sickness any worse, however, his friend retention rate dropped dramatically. Below the neck symptoms should be given 72 hours before hitting the waves, and erring on the side of caution if considering a paddle-in session out at Jaws on the first surf back.

For anyone that’s pumping iron or hitting the gym outside of the surf, high intensity exercise is usually the holy grail – and the mention that this is associated with a higher incidence of the flu isn’t very encouraging. It’s thought that the association is due to an increase in stress hormones (related to the exercise) that supress the immune system. Longer and higher intensity exercise is more associated with lower immunity when carbohydrate intake is not adequate. So if you just can’t take a chill pill and watch a movie, eat a shitload of pasta.

There! Next time your mate tells you he can’t go surfing because of his head cold, give him grief.

estrada homunga 7-05-14  MG 3816.CR2 7DYup. Good choice. Would we call that moderate? Ehh… Photo: Estrada

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Glenn Phipps is an in demand Exercise Physiologist who currently works with the world’s best athletes in SUP, Surfing, OCR and MMA. He is also the official Sports Scientist for the ESPN program Search 4 Hurt, and has been featured in various health and fitness publications. When not bringing clarity to the confusing world of health and fitness, he can be found lamenting why everyone wants to surf at the same time as him, and hanging out with the people he made. 

You can find out more about Glenn and his business, The Movement Lab, right here. Or, find him on Facebook. As an added bonus for being a Surfing Life reader, he’s offering 10% off your first appointment – if you’re looking for online help, he’ll offer you a second month free for his unique online training program. Just mention this article.

And, stay tuned for his next feature as Surfing Life’s in house health expert.