Can You Exercise after COVID Vaccine?

In most cases, yes you can exercise after the COVID Vaccine. But some of the side effects of the vaccine can affect your exercise plans, so it is best to be aware of that and how you can plan your physical activity around your goal to feel as good as possible. Here’s what you need to know about exercise after you get the COVID-19 vaccine.

Side Effects of the COVID Vaccine

Either if you feel well enough to exercise after your COVID-19 vaccine depends on which side effects, if you experience it. Most common side effects, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) includes redness, pain, and swelling on the arm where you got the shot as well as headache, tiredness, chills, muscle pain, fever, and nausea.

These side effects mostly start within a day or two of getting the vaccine, the CDC says, and they can impact your ability to do daily activities, including working out. But that is not a bad thing at all. Those common side effects are a good sign that your immune system is responding to the vaccine. And fortunately, the side effects will disappear in a few days, which means they will probably not have much disruption to your system.

Though these common side effects can be uncomfortable and annoying, they are very mild compared to the illness that COVID-19 might cause.

It is impossible to predict exactly how your body will respond to the shot. “Everyone shows a different response to the vaccine”. But in general, youngsters (think that people under 60 or 55) tend to more frequently experience side effects. That is likely because their immune systems can  respond to the vaccine more strenuously than older adults. You can experience more intense side effects after receiving the second dose of the Covi-Shield,  Covexin or Sputnik vaccines than you did after the first dose. Again, these side effects are a sign that your immune system is responding to the vaccine and they will go away in a few days.

Risks of Exercising after the COVID Vaccine

About 50% of people who receive the vaccine have side effects, especially after the second dose. Fatigue is the most common cause. Exercise can also make these side effects even worse.

However, there is no risk of exercising after the COVID-19 vaccine.

Avoid Exercise after the COVID Vaccine

If you have any reaction against the vaccine itself then you should not exercise and try any normal exercise to warm up the body.

Common symptoms of an allergic reaction to the vaccine includes: swelling, hives and wheezing (a sign of respiratory distress). These symptoms usually appear within 4 hours after receiving the vaccine.

If you experience these symptoms, consult your doctor. However, if the reaction is difficult.

If you have a history of respiratory problems or asthma, you may want to avoid strenuous exercise until you know how your body will react to the vaccine.

In addition, you may want to have any hand medication when you return to work, such as an inhaler, EpiPen, or Benadryl.

Can exercising affect the vaccine?

Exercising after getting a vaccine will not affect the way it works in the body.

However, it can be difficult to detect the negative effects. For example, a strenuous weight lifting session can cause muscle spasms. This pain may be difficult to distinguish from the pain most people experience after the COVID-19 vaccine. Both vaccination and exercise can make a person feel tired. Although exercise does not affect the effectiveness of the vaccine, it can affect health in many ways:

Exercise can improve mental health

One recent study found that regular exercise protects people from the negative psychological effects of the COVID-19 epidemic.

Some respondents to the questionnaire said that strenuous exercise procedures gave them the source of the structure during an unexpected closure. Regular physical activity can improve your mental health in a variety of ways, and people who enjoy it should feel confident about continuing to exercise after getting the vaccine.

Exercise can reduce side effects

A small study involving 46 participants analyzed the effects of strenuous exercise in older adults receiving flu vaccines. The researchers found that this activity actually reduced the severity of the adverse effects of the vaccine.

However, further research is needed to understand how exercise can affect the side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Prior to receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, a person may wish to consult a physician to discuss possible side effects and risks.

People who have just received a vaccine should pay attention to how their body feels before deciding when to return to their exercise routine. They should also follow the direction of the person who gave them their vaccine.

Additionally, it is important to remember to follow the COVID-19 safety guidelines even after vaccination. These include exercising in well-ventilated areas, covering the face where necessary, exercising away from the crowd, washing hands frequently, and cleaning gym equipment.

Author: Nitesh Dhameliya

Physiotherapist, Ahmedabad Clinic Name : Samarpan Physiotherapy Clinic Nikol Nava Naroda Branch 11, Vedant Bunglow, Opp. Radhe Bunglow Part -2 Haridarshan Char Rasta, Nikol Naroda Road Behind. Shalby Hospital, near Fortune Circle, Ahmedabad, Gujarat 382330