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Heat tips for coaches, athletes and parents
The Health Department warns athletes, coaches and parents
about participating in sports during hot weather. While the elderly, the very young and people
with mental illness and chronic diseases are at highest risk for heat-related illnesses, even young
and healthy individuals can succumb to heat if they participate in strenuous physical activities
during hot weather.
According to the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta, athletes who do vigorous
workouts, especially when the heat index is in the 90s and above, are at high risk for developing
heat-related illnesses.
The Health Department encourages athletes to:
- Drink lots of water, and to stay hydrated
by not waiting until they feel thirsty to drink it. A good rule of thumb is, “If you are thirsty, you
are already beginning to dehydrate.”
- If you are on water pills or a fluid-restricted diet, check
with your doctor to see how much you should drink when the weather is hot.
- Avoid caffeine and
alcohol as these products serve as diuretics and make the body dehydrate faster.
- Avoid any performance-enhancing products that increase your metabolism, as they increase your body temperature.
- Work out early in the morning and
late in the evening when the temperatures are cooler.
For more information about heat-related illnesses, go to the CDC Web site. |
