Tuesday, June 28, 2016

Tips to Avoid Heat Exhaustion & Stay Hydrated This Time of Year

Trainer Tuesdays

Welcome back to the weekly edition on Trainer Tuesdays. Make sure to check in at our blog every Tuesday evening to learn the expertise of our great staff of expert personal trainers. Aside from being fantastic exercise coaches, they are also extremely knowledgeable in many aspects of health and fitness; so, it's time that you get to know them a little better! Each week, we will post a frequently asked, or sometimes just a fun fitness related question followed by the answers of each of the personal trainers at Fitness Together Brecksville.


What are Some Tips to Avoid Heat Exhaustion and Stay Hydrated This Time of Year?



Lisa Clark: During the hot summer months, it is nice to spend more time outdoors and take part in outdoor exercise activities such as running, biking, rowing, golf, etc. But to do these activities safely and avoid dehydration or heat exhaustion, it is important to drink plenty of fluids. I make sure I drink 12-16 oz of water before starting an activity outside, and I make sure that I am drinking approx 8 oz of fluids for every 15-20 min of outdoor exercise. I usually will alternate between water and Gatorade or some sort of electrolyte drink to replenish the electrolytes we lose when we sweat. 

I also wear lightweight and looser fit clothing and if possible I try to go out first thing in the morning or early evening, in order to avoid the hot direct sun of the afternoon. 
Make sure you listen to your body, if you are excessively thirsty, chances are you are dehydrated and need to drink water and/or sports drinks. 




Brooke Kratche: It's getting hot out there, guys! It is so important to stay hydrated especially when getting some exercise. There are lots of ways to fight overheating and dehydration such as wearing light clothing and staying out of direct sunlight. However, my best advice to you is to find the right water bottle. For me, I use a tumbler with a straw, I drink much more with a straw than I would if I had to open and close a bottle. But it's different for everyone, find what works for you! Drink up (water)!




Adam Teplitz: As we take to the outdoors during the sweltering summer months, it's important to take proper precautions to prevent heat related illnesses.

One common heat illness is heat exhaustion. The skin becomes cool and clammy, profuse sweating occurs and the breathing becomes rapid.

There are many steps that can be taken to avoid heat illness.

These include :
-Stay hydrated properly with water and diluted electrolyte drinks
-always rehydrate after daily exercise ; keep a weight chart that is measured pre and post exercise so you know how much water to replace ; 8 ounces of water for every pound of body weight lost.
-wear loose, comfortable clothing
- make sure to acclimate to your environment ; if you spend all day indoors, you are more likely to suffer from heat illness , exercising in an outdoor environment.



Amanda Ricci:   Tips to avoid heat exhaustion and/ or stay hydrated this time of year: 

Heat exhaustion is an illness that occurs in the hotter months of the year and often occurs in addition to dehydration.  Those at higher risk for dehydration are older adults, young children, those who work outdoors, and individuals with high blood pressure.  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “In the United States, heat waves claim more lives each year than all other weather-related exposures combined (hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, and earthquakes).”  Lawson, L. E. (2008). Heat Related Illness. Retrieved June 28, 2016.  Most of these incidents occur due to lack of acclimation to the hotter temperatures and a high percentage occur in the month of August among high school football players.  Heat interferes with the body’s natural cellular processes and an influx of inflammatory cells are produced to assist the body in dealing with the stresses placed upon the body.

Several different factors can affect the body’s temperature which include: amount of clothing, color of clothing, medications, level of hydration, caffeine intake, poor circulation (if you have diabetes), and alcohol intake.   With that being said, this is not to say that you need to avoid going outdoors.  It just means that you should prepare yourself and your family for upcoming trips, sporting events, and other days where you plan to spend a few hours outdoors in the heat. 

Some tips that you can use to prevent heat exhaustion are: drink plenty of fluids, wear sunscreen & light weight as well as light colored clothing,   Also try to schedule  any intense outdoor activities during the times of the day that are cooler such as before 10:00am and after 6:00pm.  Drinking Gatorade and other sports drinks that will replenish your electrolytes and help to increase your level of hydration will also help to prevent heat related illnesses.




Mike Roberto:  With the weather getting hotter, the chance for heat exhaustion is rising.   Here are a few ways to beat the heat.

-Wear lightweight and light colored clothes
-Drink extra fluids
-Wear sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or more
-Take additional precautions when exercising or working outdoors such as drinking water every 20 minutes.





Justin Traft: Many clients often ask: ‘What are some ways to avoid becoming dehydrated during the warm summer months?’ I typically drink more than a gallon of water a day during summer months. Why you ask?--because you tend to sweat it out or you are more active then fall and winter months. Either hydration plays an important part in the body muscle need water to help with contraction either during a workout or just daily life of moving around. Also, vital organs depend on water to keep your body operating at optimal level during daily task of life. Some tips are always full a water container in the morning and keep filling it throughout the day. Keeping hydrated throughout the day also keeps the body's temp at normal reading. Sometimes during outside activity or hard workout out body temp rises and will continue to as it struggles to balance the body. This many times if not fixed can cause people to have heat stroke or heat exhaustion. Either way two things you don't want to experience. Also, once the body become dehydrated muscle cramps will also occur. Sometimes cause headache and even sickness. So make sure to stay hydrated on hot days try to take breaks in the shade. Also, try to wear loose light clothing to keep the body cool in the heat.




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