2023-07-13 12:27:46
July 13, 2023
When the temperatures rise, some prefer to stay cool while others pull out the sneakers and get back to sport. A practice which, if you are not careful, exposes you to dehydration and heat stroke.
In normal times, sports practice leads to an increase in energy expenditure, a rise in the body’s temperature which can only be regulated by the evaporation of sweat. But when it is very hot, this evaporation reaches saturation. The body can no longer maintain itself at 37°C, which can lead to dehydration and heat stroke. Which, remember, is a medical emergency.
Beware of exercise heatstroke
Two heatstrokes should be distinguished: the “classic” one and the one related to effort. The first occurs when the mercury rises very high. It affects the extreme ages of life. In other words, young children and the elderly. Exercise heat stroke, on the other hand, is the consequence of intense and prolonged physical effort that can be favored by a hot and humid atmosphere.
By contracting, the muscles produce a considerable amount of heat which leads to the increase in body temperature. And when it’s hot and the effort is too intense, the thermal regulation system goes wrong, leading to a risk of hyperthermia.
Good practices
First advice therefore, when the weather is not favorable to intense exercise, it is better to reduce – or even cancel – your session. You can also adjust your schedule by starting earlier in the morning or early evening. In addition, sprinkle your face and neck regularly with water and hydrate yourself, before, during and after exercise… Even if you are not thirsty.
Also prefer exercises in the shade or in air-conditioned or well-ventilated places. The aquatic environment is a good option to keep your skin in contact with freshness.
On the clothing side, don’t forget that heat stroke is all the more important if the athlete is equipped with clothing that limits the evacuation of sweat. So think about light materials and avoid wearing tight-fitting outfits, without forgetting to cover your head…
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