When you spend time in cold weather, your body snaps into action to keep you warm. The blood vessels in your extremities narrow to send more blood to your core. You may also shiver — a survival mechanism in which your muscles contract and generate heat.

While these responses are important for keeping you alive, they’re not always helpful for working out, since they can affect how easily you move and make you more prone to injury. Cold weather can also stress your cardiovascular system.

Nnaemeka Echebiri, MD, physiatrist at HSS, spoke with The New York Times about how winter temperatures can affect your workout.  

Dr. Echebiri said cold exposure can impair your balance since stiff muscles can lead to unsteady ankles and knees. This may make you more likely to slip and fall, especially on icy or uneven surfaces.

He also stressed the importance of drinking fluids before, during and after a cold-weather workout, even if you’re not thirsty.

Read the full article at nytimes.com.