Doctors say it is safe to continue with exercising after taking the Covid vaccine but advise against taking up strenuous activities that the body is not used to within two to three days of taking the jab.
With Covid-induced lockdowns leading to the closure of gyms and parks in most states, people again have been strapped to their couches for months like last year. To stick to their exercise routine, people have taken to working out within the four walls of their homes. However, one question that may arise is whether it is safe to exercise after getting the Covid-19 vaccine.
The short answer to this question is yes. Experts told indiatoday.in there is no evidence so far to suggest exercising after inoculation can be harmful to health or affect the vaccine’s efficacy.
“It is difficult to tell how a person will respond to the vaccine. There is no evidence of the vaccine being less effective owing to exercising before or after inoculation. In fact, those who exercise regularly and embrace a healthy lifestyle have enhanced responses to vaccines. Their bodies tend to create more antibodies when compared to those who are not following a healthy lifestyle,” Dr. Pritam Moon, consultant physician, Wockhardt Hospital, Mumbai, told indiatoday.in.
Modify your exercise routine as per side effects of vaccine
However, experts cautioned that one should take note of immediate side effects and modify their workout plan accordingly. Pain or swelling at the injection site, weakness, nausea, headache, and fever are some common side effects that people may experience after being inoculated.
Physiotherapist Dr. Juhi Dang stressed that no new activity that one is not used to should be done soon after getting vaccinated.
“Generally doctors advise against resuming exercising, but there is nothing like that. It is just a precautionary measure not to increase your pain. A heavy workout might aggravate that pain. However, if you are used to high-intensity workouts, you can continue with them. But don’t start something more intense that your body is not used to immediately after getting the jab,” Dr. Dang said.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises people to keep their arms active to help deal with injection site pain.
When should one resume physical activities if they experience side effects?
Experts said one should ideally rest for a day or two post-vaccination and then resume their fitness routines.
“If you notice any side effects such as fever, body pain, or nausea, then it is a good idea to take a break for two days. It is not advisable to take up any physically exhausting or intense activity if you are not used to it, a couple of days within taking the vaccine,” said Dr. Sharwari Dabhade Dua, consultant internal medicine, Rainbow Hospitals, Delhi.
Strenuous workouts within 48-72 hours post-vaccination might lead to prolongation of myalgias and fatigue, said Dr. Abhishek Bansal, Director, Orthopaedics, Spine and Sports Injuries, Diyos Hospital.
“It would be prudent to wait for 2-3 days post-vaccination for the muscle pains and fatigue to settle down,” he said.
Echoing him, Dr. Moon of Wockhardt Hospital said, “Taking a break for a couple of days won’t hamper your workout progress. It is important to let your body recover from the side effects. Don’t be harsh on yourself; you won’t gain weight in a day.”
