A new heat wave should hit the whole of France in the coming days. With the regular heat waves since the beginning of summer, a question arises: is it possible to continue to practice sport during the heat wave? Even if it is very strongly recommended to rest and avoid any intense effort in order to preserve your body during the hot weather, it is quite possible to continue to practice physical activity. This on the condition of following some essential rules. Indeed, practiced anyhow, sport in the heat can be dangerous. The risk would be to cause a heat stroke to the body: nausea, fatigue, headaches, dizziness or even loss of consciousness, as Le Point indicates. These symptoms affect everyone: budding athlete or professional, when the body is overheated, it can no longer regulate body temperature properly. This is called stress hyperthermia and it can lead to cardiac arrest.
To continue practicing a physical activity in peace even during a heat wave, you must first choose the right moment. Early in the morning or late in the evening, it is better to avoid the hottest hours of the day, between noon and 6 p.m. Then, certain sports are to be preferred during these periods. Water sports are a great way to cool off, a good idea for physical activity in hot weather. Also, do not forget to drink before, during and after exercise. Whether or not you practice sport, staying well hydrated is particularly important during heat waves. In case of physical activity outside, opting for suitable sportswear, in light colors (which attract less sunlight) can be very useful to avoid suffocating during exercise, as the Team explains. . Finally, do not forget to cover your head (hat or cap) and apply sunscreen. Be careful, if the body temperature rises too high, the effort becomes useless and can be harmful. It is therefore necessary above all to listen to your body and its limits.
