I am writing this entry just after viewing the 10-day weather forecast that is predicting temperatures next week above 100 degrees/upper 90’s for consecutive days. This is still June and not July yet…crazy hot weather!
Many people like to exercise outside: walking, jogging, biking, rowing, hiking, etc. However, when the temperatures and humidity soar, these conditions bring with them some inherent dangers to outdoor exercising including:
ï Heat Cramps: Muscle pain or spasms, usually in the legs, during intense exercise.
ï Heat Exhaustion: A more severe condition caused by excessive sweating, dehydration, and salt loss. Symptoms include heavy sweating, clammy skin, dizziness, weakness, and nausea.
ï Heatstroke: A serious medical emergency when the body’s temperature rises dangerously high (103°F or higher), and the body can no longer regulate its temperature. Symptoms include hot, dry skin (though sweating may stop in some cases), confusion, rapid pulse and breathing, and loss of consciousness. Heatstroke is a life-threatening condition requiring immediate medical attention.
ï Dehydration: Exercising in the heat can lead to excessive fluid loss through sweat, increasing the risk of dehydration.
ï Reduced Muscle Blood Flow: During prolonged exercise in the heat, especially with dehydration, blood flow to muscles may be reduced, impacting performance and potentially leading to fatigue.
ï Cardiovascular Strain: The heart works harder to pump blood to both the muscles and the skin for cooling, potentially leading to cardiovascular strain, especially in high-intensity exercise in hot environments.
ï Exertional Heat Stroke: The body’s temperature regulation system is overwhelmed, leading to a dangerous rise in body temperature.
ï Hyponatremia (Water Intoxication): In some cases of prolonged, high-intensity exercise in the heat, excessive fluid intake without adequate electrolyte replacement can lead to dangerously low sodium levels in the blood.
Take these medical issues into consideration when deciding to exercise outside in these crazy hot temperatures. Move that exercise to the early sunrise morning ours or bring the exercise inside to home or gym equipment. Exercise is a healthy thing to do but not s much when done in perilous outdoor temperatures.
Enjoy a Sly and The Family Stone hit, “Hot Fun In The Summetime”
