Is there a time when outdoor exercise isn't a good thing? This article takes a look at this question.
So Game 5 of the World Series was suspended due to the steady rain that kept coming down. I'm surprised how well the field actually held up before they had to suspend the game. Even though there were puddles here and there on the infield, it could have been a lot worse. It brings me to a good question, though. With baseball, it seems like at the first drop of rain, the game is usually suspended, and rightfully so. You don't want the infield to turn into mud, but what about other sports like soccer, football, cross country, and track & field. When is the cut off line with those sports? Is there a cut off line?
I know that having played soccer and run cross country and track in college, it didn't matter what the conditions were like, as long as there wasn't lightening. It could be snowing or pouring down rain, and the event would still go on, but what about practice? The game is one thing, but for the majority of us, we aren't playing competitive sports in a league; we're out just trying to stay active and fit. In that case, if it's like last night during the World Series, 40 degrees and a cold steady rain, is it worth being active outside in it?
Back to when I was in college ...
I remember days like that during practice. There were plenty of days we practiced outside in snow, rain, even thunderstorms ... shh, don't tell anyone. The few times that we got stuck in thunderstorms was pretty crazy. I don't know how many of you have been out on a soccer field or 3 miles into a run, and it started to lightening all around you. ... Yeah, I was praying that we would make it to practice the next day. But anyway, even though we practiced in all sorts of conditions, I can also remember that the days when it was around 40 degrees with a steady rain, a lot of times we didn't practice. What was the reasoning? It would actually do more harm then good. ... We actually didn't not practice at all those days; we practiced inside instead of outside. The reasoning for not practicing outside was because for one, practicing while wearing clothes that weighed a ton being soaked in water was not the most effective way to practice. Two, you aren't very effective on a slippery/sloppy field or road. But the main reason was because of the temperature, combined with the rain. There was fear of us getting sick, not because it was cold (we would practice in 0 degrees by wearing enough layers), but because it was cold and wet. The fear was that the cold air running over wet clothes would lead our bodies to getting sick easier; it would keep the muscles from being able to stay properly warmed up, and because of this, they couldn't react as fast. Since they wouldn't be able to react as fast, especially if you slip, there was the fear that it would be easier to pull a muscle. Those were the days we stayed inside, the days like last night at the World Series.
So what do you think? For those of you that are truly dedicated to being active and fit, is it worth skipping a run or playing another outdoor sport for a day, if it is cold and rainy? Do you feel the risk of getting sick and pulling a muscle is high enough that it's better to skip the day? I'll be interested to see how you feel about this.
Dan Falkenberg, BA, ACE-CPT, NASM-PES
Dan Falkenberg is the cofounder of Your Live Trainers. He can be reached at DanFalkenberg.com.
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