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In some ways, athletes are just like the rest of us. They're more
susceptible to colds and the flu when they get too little sleep or
drink too much alcohol.
But the physical demands of regular, prolonged, high-intensity
training and competition are associated with changes in the immune
system that can make them more predisposed to illness than people
who aren't athletes, said lead author of the guidelines, Martin
Schwellnus of the University of Pretoria in South Africa.
"Sudden increases in training and competition load can increase the
risk of illness," Schwellnus, a sports medicine researcher, said by
email.
The picture is different for those of who are more like weekend
warriors than elite athletes.
Routine, moderate-intensity physical activity can help protect
people against colds and diseases that involve the upper respiratory
tract, previous research has found. Recreational runners, for
example, tend to get fewer colds when they stick to their running
program.
Exercise can boost the production of immune cells that attack
bacteria tied to respiratory problems and colds. During exercise and
for a little while afterwards, people may have higher levels of
immune cells circulating through the body, which can also help ward
off illness.
But too much exercise can have the opposite effect.
With intense, long-term exercise, the body may produce more
stress-related hormones. During exercise, the body makes two
hormones, cortisol and adrenaline, that are associated with spikes
in blood pressure and cholesterol levels and temporary weakness in
the immune system.
The guidelines published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine
follow a consensus statement from the International Olympic
Committee on how athletes can prevent illness.
Some of the advice will sound familiar even to people who have never
set foot in a gym.
For example, athletes should always clean hands and nose after
sneezing and coughing and keep other people with these symptoms at a
safe distance, the guidelines recommend. They should also regularly
wash their hands with soap and water.
Another common cold prevention measure also holds true for athletes
- avoid sharing drinking bottles, cups, cutlery or towels with other
people.
And, like the rest of us, they should avoid excessive drinking and
practice safe sex.
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Athletes should also minimize contact with infected people, young
children, animals and contagious objects, the guidelines emphasize.
When they compete abroad, they should only drink beverages from
sealed bottles, avoid raw vegetables and undercooked meat, and wash
and peel fruit before eating.
To avoid insect-borne diseases, they should wear clothing that
covers their arms and legs during training sessions in tropical
areas. They should also carry insect repellent, anti-microbial foam
or cream and alcohol-based hand washing gel.
"International travel and prolonged flights are also associated with
an increased risk of illness in athletes," Schwellnus said. "Modern
day athletes are required to travel extensively in some instances."
More research is needed to determine the best criteria for clearing
sick athletes to return to practice and competition, Schwellnus
noted.
"All of this is important in athletes because illness, particularly
infective illness, can predispose athletes to increased risk of
medical complication during exercise and also reduce their exercise
performance," Schwellnus added.
SOURCE: http://bit.ly/2ggwOpm and http://bit.ly/2gGqxPS British
Journal of Sports Medicine, online December 1, 2016.
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