HotWeatherHints

Schedule practice in the early morning or evening.

Acclimate athletes by carefully graduated practice sessions.

Provide rest periods of 15 to 20 minutes during workouts of one hour.

Furnish extra water and salt (take 2 teaspoonfuls of table salt for each gallon of water ingested at a rate of at least one quart per hour during extreme perspiration)

The main problem associated with exercising in hot weather is water loss through sweating. Water loss is best replaced by allowing the athlete unrestricted access to water. Water breaks two or three times per hour are better than one break an hour. Probably the best method is to have water available at all times and to allow the athlete to drink water whenever he/she needs it. Never restrict the amount of water an athlete drinks, and be sure the athletes are drinking water. The small amount of salt lost in sweat is adequately replaced by salting food at meals. Talk to your medical personnel concerning emergency treatment plans.

Watch athletes for signs of fatigue, lethargy, inattention, stupor, awkwardness, particularly the determined athlete who may not report discomfort. Temperature and humidity cause heat stroke and heat exhaustion, which can occur in the shade.