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Int J Sports Med 1988; 09(6): 451-455
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-1025050
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Physical Activity and Upper Respiratory Tract Infections in a Normal Population of Young Men and Women: The Amsterdam Growth and Health Study

W. J. Schouten, R. Verschuur, H. C. G. Kemper
  • Department of Exercise Physiology and Health, Faculty of Human Movement Science, Vrije Universiteit; Medical Faculty, Universiteit van Amsterdam Academic Medical Center (AMC), Amsterdam-zo, The Netherlands
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Publication History

Publication Date:
14 March 2008 (online)

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Abstract

A population of young adults, 92 men and 107 women, with a mean age of 21 (±0.7) years, were retrospectively questioned about their habitual physical activity levels (period of 3 months) and the incidence and duration of upper respiratory tract infection (URI) symptoms (period of 6 months).

We hypothesized that the incidence and duration of URI symptoms were inversely related with the level of sports activity and total physical activity. Only in women was a statistically significant (P < 0.05) negative relation found between the incidence of URI symptoms and the level of sports activity.

However, the low Spearman's rho coefficient (-0.18) indicates a very weak relation between both parameters.

Key words

physical activity - maximal aerobic power - upper respiratory tract infection symptoms - young men and women sporting indoor/outdoor