II. Prevention
- Identify high risk patients
- Supervisors, coaches and trainers should be alert for Heat Illness symptoms and signs
- Limit activity in very hot and humid environments
- See Heat Index
- Take frequent water breaks with scheduled rests
- Wear light, loose fitting clothing
- Hydration
- Fluid type
- Water: moderate intensity Exercise for under 1 hour
- Electrolyte drink: Exercise for over 1 hour
- Pre-Exercise: 12-20 ounces (15 min before Exercise)
- During Exercise: 8 ounces fluid every 15 minutes
- Guidelines emphasize to drink to thirst to prevent over-hydration (Hyponatremia risk)
- Fluid type
- Heat acclimatization to exertion in a warm environment
- Full heat acclimitization typically takes 2-3 weeks (up to 2-3 months in some patients)
- Gradual exposure to hot environment after arrival
- Outdoor Exercise
- Reduced Heat Illness risk: 90 minutes/session for 3 sessions per week
- Acclimitization 80%: Moderate Exercise 1-2 hours/day for 7 days
- Pre-travel heat acclimitization
- Wear Personal Protective Equipment (e.g. masks) while exercising
- Overdress in temperate climates while exercising
- Periodic heat exposure (e.g. exercising during hottest time of day in temperate climates)
- Measure weight before and after sports practice
- Define a weight at which participation disallowed
- Define a goal weight to allow participation
III. References
- Salinas and Ruttan (2017) Crit Dec Emerg Med 31(9): 3-10
- Becker (2011) Am Fam Physician 83(11): 1325-30 [PubMed]
- Eifling (2024) Wilderness Environ Med 35(suppl 1): 1125-75 [PubMed]
- Gauer (2019) Am Fam Physician 99(8):482-9 [PubMed]