The death of Minnesota Vikings offensive tackle Korey Stringer has raised national attention to the dangers of working out in the heat and humidity. But as the following Temple University professors point out, you don’t need to be taking part in an NFL practice to be in danger.
Heat poses threat even if you're playing softball or golf
“People think that if they’re outside sweating, it means they’re burning fat,” says Joseph Libonati, Ph.D., director of Temple’s Biokinetics Research Lab. “But all they’re doing is losing water that their body needs.” Libonati suggests people drink plenty of water throughout the day and if they’re going to be exercising for a long period of time, have some H2O on hand to drink during the workout. On days when the heat and humidity are particularly high, outdoor exercise should be limited to the early morning or after the sun has gone down, he says. And it’s not just those involved in stressful activities like running that need to worry about the heat. “If you’re out playing softball or golf and it’s hot, you might not even realize that you’ve lost a lot of fluid,” says Libonati. “So if after the game you want to have a cold beer, that’s fine, but have a glass of water first.” Libonati advises that anyone who experiences the warning signs of heat sickness--such as nausea, blurry vision and dizziness--while exercising, stop immediately, find some shade or a cool place, drink some water, and, if need be, contact a doctor. “Don’t mess around. Especially if you’re older or overweight. The heat can be a huge stress to the cardiovascular system and can potentially cause a heart attack.”
Contact Dr. Libonati at 215-204-1957 or in the evening at 610-658-0428.
Macho mentality still exists, even in high school sports
“Training camps and suffering through the heat and humidity are seen as a rite of passage and a time to prove your toughness,” says sports psychology professor Michael Sachs. “You don’t prove that toughness by saying ‘I’m feeling a little weak and need to come out.’” And while there aren’t many high school coaches running practices like Army drill sergeants anymore, the macho mentality still exists at that level as well. “In the last half dozen years, coaches have, for the most part, become very aware of the need to keep players hydrated and you don’t see them making players wait until the end of practice to get a drink. But there’s still that peer pressure and the idea among players that they’re going to be tougher than the next guy.” And the macho mentality isn’t limited to football. Other contact sports like hockey and wrestling share similar problems. “These are sports where the whole idea is to overpower, be tougher, than your opponent. The very qualities that make someone good at these sports might keep them from taking a break because of injury.”
Contact Dr. Sachs at 215-204-8718.
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