With temperatures soaring it is a good idea to be think ahead before heading out to exercise or practice your sport.
The warm weather is a perfect motivator to get outside, go for a walk, and move around. But when warm spring days turn to summer and temperatures go from warm to hot, exercising could be risky unless you’re prepared. Staying active, even exercising in hot weather, can be done safely, but you really have to pay attention to the environment and your body to make sure a good thing doesn’t go wrong.
Here are some creative ways to stay cool while doing sports in the heat:
Wear loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing.
Schedule workouts and practices earlier or later in the day when the temperature is cooler.
Monitor a teammate’s condition and have someone do the same for you.
Place cool, wet towels or ice packs on your neck, forehead and under your arms.
Spray yourself with water from a hose or shower.
Sit in a tub filled with cold water.
Drink fluids, such as water or a sports drink.
Wear synthetic fabrics. Unlike cotton, synthetics take moisture from your skin so that cooling can occur.
Training and competition involving moderate to high intensity exercise should take place away from the hottest part of the day.
Learn more about safe ways to exercise outdoors’s in the heat:
Keep Your Cool in Hot Weather | Environmental Health Features (cdc.gov)