Newswise — With hotter months approaching, exerpts advise people to use caution and common sense when exercising outside.Evaporation of sweat is critical to regulate body temperature, say researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas.
"Exercising in high humidity particularly on hot overcast days can be more dangerous because the sweat doesn't evaporate as quickly and doesn't do as good a job of cooling you," says Dr. Peter Snell, associate professor of internal medicine at UT Southwestern.
Exercises that produce a high airflow and therefore increase the evaporation of sweat, such as roller blading or cycling, are good alternatives to running or walking when it's hot outside, he says.
"One of the key dangers of exercising in the heat is becoming dehydrated. Always carry a water bottle and because the sensation of thirst lags behind dehydration, drink before you become thirsty," Dr. Snell says. "It's best to wear sunscreen and a fabric that can breathe, so you can protect yourself from the sun and still be able to cool off."
He added that in particularly brutal heat, early-morning exercising is the best bet for avoiding dehydration and injury. Those who exercise for long periods should know to not drink inordinate amounts of water, as that can lead to hyponatremia.
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