Two-and-a-half hours of vigorous exercise a week could help keep flu at bay

Researchers have suggested that exercising vigorously two and a half hours a week could cut your chance of suffering from flu-like illness by about 10 per cent.

The vigorous exercise includes running, fast cycling, competitive sports like football and rugby and even running around the school playground.

Research fellow Dr Alma Adler, research fellow at London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, said that their study suggests that there may be a link between exercise and flu.

She said that the vigour of exercise is also key as their study showed that there was very little benefit for those taking moderate exercise, like fast walking, light jogging or cycling.