Re: Running in marathons impairs immunity

In article <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>,
 Chupacabra <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

> On Sat, 22 Nov 2003 12:51:43 GMT, John 'the Man'  <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> wrote:
> 
> >Once upon a time, our fellow Van Bagnol
> >   rambled on about "Re: Running in marathons impairs immunity."
> >Our champion De-Medicalizing in sci.med.nutrition retorts, thusly ...
> >
> >>> Of course, one does wonder why exercising for more than 90 minutes
> >>> would even be an issue.  Most people have a hard time finding time to
> >>> exercise to begin with.
> >>
> >>Most do have trouble finding the time, but that's the problem, isn't it?
> >
> >Actually, my workouts are in the 90 minutes plus range.  :)
> >
> >They are 30 minutes on the lifecycle to warm up.  5 to 10 minutes
> >stretching. 30 minutes bodybuilding, with multiple sets.  And, then 30
> >minutes on the treadmill.  With 5 to 10 minutes stretching.
> 
> That's a pretty retarded workout.

I'm inclined to agree. Needing 40 minutes of warmup and stretching to 
prepare for 30 minutes of weights? Warmup shouldn't take that long, and 
certainly doesn't have to be at high intensity. I'd also have picked 
something that involved more muscle groups than pedaling a LifeCycle. A 
cycle warmup would be silly if the "bodybuilding" was chest and arm work.

> >They are certainly are not continuous exercise at extremely high
> >intensity, but they are periodically intense.  MET wise, the lifecycle
> >and treadmill workout is above 6 METs which is classified as high
> >intensity exercise.
> >
> >This impair immunity information is something to think about as I try
> >to figure out how to trim my workouts down.
>
> Drop the warmup and the stretching. Voila.

Could be he's padding the numbers to impress people how hard it is? 
While 6 METs was designated "high intensity" in Tanasescu et al's 
cardiac study, bicycling at 6 METs is classified as "leisure, slow, 
light effort" in the Compendium of Physical Activities (compcode 01020).

Seems that the near-obssessive concern about "impaired immunity" is 
unfounded in this case anyway. The Nieman immunology findings were for 
continuous intense activity lasting more than 90 minutes. The workout 
described is neither continuous nor intense, and, excluding the breaks, 
barely hits 90 minutes. Running 12 miles in 90 minutes nonstop would be 
different.

Anyway, the easiest way is simply to see if you get sick after your 
workouts. If you do, then cut back.

Van

-- 
Van Bagnol / v a n at wco dot com / c r l at bagnol dot com
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