Dealing with Extreme Heat

Written by: Staff on 10th August 2012

Dealing with Extreme Heat

epa03317221 General view of the Wimbledon tennis courts in London, Britain, 25 July 2012. Wimbledon, home of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, will be used for the Tennis competition of the London 2012 Olympic Games. EPA/MARIUS BECKER |

With most of the American tennis nation feeling the effects of heat waves this summer, it’s important to pay attention to details concerning heat related issues and problems. Even as I sit here, my head throbs and my thoughts are slow. This is called heat sickness. Too much exposure to high temperatures and UV rays really does scramble one’s brain! Not to mention also causing damage to our epidermis and raising the body’s internal temperature. Other symptoms you might feel are a weakness in muscle strength, muscle cramps, light-headedness, loss of balance, and fainting.

So what can you do when these hit hard? First, get out of the heat and into a cool dark room away from loud noise (because that’s never good for an aching head), and away from light exposure. Second, hydrate hydrate hydrate. Replenish the salts in your body, eat some fast acting carbs, have some chocolate milk, fruits offer up vital blood sugar and nutrients. Try to reestablish your body’s natural equilibrium/homeostasis – Where you feel most comfortable and stable. Ice down your body in extreme conditions. The body has to cool itself somehow and ice is the fastest way to penetrate through your burnt skin! Put the ice into bags, or better yet, towels, and lay them on your extremeties and chest. Relax during the first period of cold-shock you will likely experience, breathe deeply in threw the nose and exhale through the mouth. Allow yourself to cool down and don’t fight against your body.

Preventative measures against heat illness are: shade, pouring COLD water on your hats/towels during changeovers and breaks, changing into a dry clothes, and dousing your head/neck in water. Bring electrolyte pouches or drinks to the court and drink them while you play. Nibble on granola bars and bananas too. These are a few simple measures that can save your life – literally!