Vigorous exercise in sport places some people at risk of heat illness. Even in cool weather, heat illness may occur in those exercising at high intensity for more than 45 minutes. Heat illness may also occur with prolonged exposure to hot weather.
The risk of heat illness is increased in hot and humid weather because:
- People may not be able to produce enough sweat for adequate cooling
- High humidity may prevent adequate evaporation of sweat
Golden Rules for Training and Competition
- Achieve a high level of physical fitness before exercising strenuously in competition, or in warm weather
- Exercise at moderate intensity in hot or humid conditions
- Do not undertake hard exercise, or exercise in hot or humid weather if you feel unwell or are recovering from recent illness
- Drink water before and during exercise
- Stop exercise if you feel unwell when exercising hard, or if exercising in hot or humid weather
- Stop other sports participants if they appear unwell, confused or show loss of skill and coordination