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The New York Times – How To Avoid Heatstroke

Wanted to share a nice little article that showed up on my social feed this morning about avoiding heat stroke this summer.  We as adults often times think it does not happen to us as “recreational runners” but I have witnessed everything from hypothermia to heatstroke at running races!  Check out the article at the following link and remember that it is not just high school kids at summer practices who take it a bit too far.

NYT Link — https://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/07/29/how-to-avoid-heatstroke/

One thing we are fairly certain of is that it does always involve hydration levels either and even ambient temperature around you can be anywhere from the 70’s, 80’s, or 90’s in terms of Farenhiet when heatstroke can set in, even on overcast days versus sunny days. It simply has to do with core temperature levels of the athlete.

The following info is taken directly from the article:

Scientists don’t yet know why some people become seriously ill while exercising in hot weather, and others don’t. At one time, it was believed that exercise-related heat illness was caused by the sizzling rays of the sun beating onto an athlete’s skin, causing overheating from the outside in, and contributing to dehydration, which was thought to be a primary cause of heat problems. But that theory doesn’t explain why athletes develop heat illness on overcast days, when sunlight isn’t directly reaching them. They’ve also been known to become ill on relatively cool days, when temperatures are below 80 degrees. And many collapse despite being fully hydrated.

“There’s still a lot we don’t understand” about heat illness, says Douglas Casa, an associate professor in the Department of Kinesiology at the University of Connecticut, who’s extensively studied athletic performance in the heat.

Heat illness itself is an omnibus term, covering “a spectrum of seven or eight different conditions,” that range from mild heat exhaustion to life-threatening heat stroke, Casa says. August is prime season for the illnesses, since, even as temperatures soar, many athletes must or choose to continue exercising outside. “Football teams start two-a-day practices at this time of year,” Casa says. Runners training for a fall marathon increase their mileage. So do cyclists and triathletes preparing for autumn events.

Scientists have a pretty clear picture of what happens inside these athletes as they exert themselves. They bake. Muscles in motion generate enormous amounts of energy, only about 25 percent of which is used in contractions. The other 75 percent or so becomes body heat.

NYT Link — https://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/07/29/how-to-avoid-heatstroke/

We highly encourage you to check out this fantastic article and if you are suffering from common running issues, athletic performance issues, or any time of injury, give us a call at 856.228.3100 or send us an email at the link below!

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