The benefits of outdoor training... also in the cooler months!

The benefits of outdoor group training are manifold, and I often hear from our athletes or their parents that they were ill much less since they started training outdoors in a group, also in the cooler months of the year. Curious about the science behind this observation, I found out that training outdoors in a group involves multiple physiological and psychological adaptations:

1. Boosted Immune Function outdoors during winter - how?
Outdoor exercise enhances the immune system by increasing circulation of immune cells like white blood cells, which help the body fight infections. Cold air can stimulate this response further, as the body adapts to environmental stress, improving immune resilience. Exercising regularly with a group helps maintain these benefits consistently, reducing susceptibility to illness, including colds and flu.

2. Exposure to Fresh Air - cold air does not make you ill!
Airborne pathogen transmits viruses and bacteria - they cannot be found in fresh air, or rain! ;) so these factors do not make you sick. On the contrary, fresh air disperses viruses and bacteria, while cold, dry air can inhibit the survival of some pathogens.

3. Improved Mental Health and Reduced Stress (Including SAD)
Exercising outdoors in a group can help combat Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a type of depression triggered by shorter days and reduced sunlight in winter. SAD can weaken the immune system due to increased stress and disrupted sleep. Outdoor exercise increases exposure to natural light, even on cloudy days, helping regulate serotonin levels and improve mood. The social interaction of group exercise also reduces feelings of isolation and stress, which are linked to immune suppression. Lower stress levels strengthen the immune system, making the body more resilient to infections.

4. Increased Vitamin D Production
Especially in winter, outdoor sunlight exposure is crucial to help maintain vitamin D levels, which are critical for immune function. Vitamin D plays a role in regulating the immune response and reducing the risk of respiratory infections. 

5. Physical Conditioning and Cold Adaptation
Cold-weather exercise trains the body to regulate temperature and circulation more efficiently. The increased effort required to maintain body warmth boosts cardiovascular and respiratory health, further enhancing immune response. Think cold therapy in little digestible doses!

In summary, exercising outdoors during the cooler months of the year does not only  improve your fitness and physical conditioning, it also boots your immune system and mental health, building resilience against viruses, SAD and other seasonal illnesses.