Jul 2, 2009 7:23 pm US/Eastern
HealthWatch: Precautions For Summer Exercise
Exertion And Summer Heat Can Raise Body Temperature; Humidity Decreases Its Ability To Cool Itself
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
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Summer weather gives many health-conscious New Yorkers the option of walking or running outside. Many doctors caution that outdoor exercise can put extra strain on the body. (File)
CBS
Summer weather gives many health-conscious New Yorkers the option of walking or running outside.
Many doctors caution that outdoor exercise can put extra strain on the body. Not only is its temperature increased by the exertion and hot weather, but the humidity in the air can make it harder for the body to cool itself.
Some, like exercise enthusiast Hap Snyder, are determined to not let the summer heat slow down their routine.
"I do a lot of walking," Snyder said. "I do some running (and) biking. I go to the gym about five times a week."
But Snyder added that he does make some concessions to accommodate the weather.
"I try to (exercise) earlier in the morning and early in the evening to avoid the summer sun at its strongest," Snyder said.
Dr. Merle Myerson, of St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital, thinks Snyder generally has the right idea.
"People should exercise caution," Myerson said. "They should exercise, but with caution."
Myerson said the majority of heat-related illnesses, like heat exhaustion and heat stroke, generally happen when people are physically active during the summer months. Dehydration tends to be the major cause, with children and the elderly being the most at-risk for its complications.
Myerson feels the only way to guard against dehydration is to drink water and other fluids before one starts to feel dried out.
"You should be hydrating or drinking extra fluids before you even feel thirsty," Myerson said.
Sometimes, thirst does not occur until after the body is already mildly-dehydrated. Symptoms such as headache, dizziness, fatigue and muscle cramping tend to set in first.
Experts have said men should drink roughly three liters of water each day, while women should aim for 2.2 liters. But exercising in the heat often requires doubling those amounts. It is generally best to hydrate by drinking small amounts of water in frequent intervals.
Myerson added medications for blood pressure can also raise the risk of becoming dehydrated.
"Some of the medications are diuretic, or water pills, in which they are going to lose water anyway," Myerson said.
She recommended exercisers try to take their routine indoors on the hottest summer days, as well as engage in "cooling" activities like swimming.
"I also tell my patients to go to some of the big box stores– the stores that are huge and have many of aisles, and most of the time they are air-conditioned. (I tell them) to go and do fast walking around."
It is also advisable to wear sunscreen when exercising outdoors, as sunburn decreased the body's ability to cool itself.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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