Stay Cool This Summer – How to Avoid Heat Illness

Despite what has been an unseasonably mild summer to date, the hotter days are becoming more frequent and it is important to be aware of the dangers of exercising during this time of year. Summer climates increase the risk of developing heat illnesses such as heat stroke when exercising, resulting in many debilitating health complications such as:

• Feelings of tiredness, weakness, dizziness and faintness
• Dehydration and headaches
• Excessive fatigue
• Heat cramps

So what can you do to help yourself avoid these possible side effects?

Pre-exercise

• Hydrate effectively – Daily water requirements during summer increase to a minimum of 4L per day
• Drink 2-3 cups of water 2 hours before and 1 cup 10-15min before undertaking exercise
• Avoid hot foods, alcohol and heavy foods that increase your core temperature
• Choose lightweight, light-colored and loose-fitting clothing as well as wearing a hat
• Use sun block with an SPF rating of 15+ or higher

During exercise

• Avoid exercise during the hottest time of day; train closer to sunrise or sunset
• Drink 1 cup of water every 15minutes throughout exercise
• If you feel any headaches, fatigue or irritability or notice your exercise performance decreasing, stop exercising and cool off

Post-exercise

• Weigh yourself before and after exercise and replace any lost fluids accordingly
• Drink 1.5L of water for every kilogram of fluid you lost during exercise
• Try to avoid too much sports drink, however for intense exercise above 60min, these may help to further accelerate water intake after exercise in the heat

Remember: Planning ahead for exercise in the heat will assist you in avoiding the health complications associated with heat illness this summer.

References

• Quinn, E. 2009, Hot Weather Exercise Safety: Tips for preventing heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat rash and dehydration’,http://sportsmedicine.about.com/od/enviromentalissues/a/Exercise_Heat.htm
• Sawka, M.N., Burke, L.M., Eichner, R., Maughan, R.J., Montain, S.J., Stachenfeld, N.S. 2007, Exercise and Fluid Replacement, Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, vol. 39, no. 2, pp. 377-90.
• Sawka, M.N., Montain, S.J. 2000, Fluid and electrolyte supplementation for exercise heat stress, American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, vol. 72, no. 2, pp. 5645.