Dictionary

above the neck rule en · NOUN

Meanings

1. A guideline for deciding whether to exercise when sick, which posits that if symptoms (like a runny nose, sneezing, or mild sore throat) are only "above the neck," light to moderate activity may be permissible, but "below the neck" symptoms (chest congestion, body aches, cough) indicate one should refrain from exercise to avoid worsening illness.
   • See also: neck rule
   • Athletes are advised to follow the “above the neck” rule if illness is mild, without fever, and affects only the mouth, nose, and throat, as in a common cold, then exercise training is permitted, perhaps with slightly reduced intensity or duration. 2002, ACSM, ACSM's resources for clinical exercise physiology : musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, neoplastic, immunologic, and hematologic conditions, page 198:

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