Here, according to the New York Times, are a some things the experts do know about workout-induced heat illness: Muscles in motion generate enormous amounts of energy, and only about 25
percent of that is used in contractions. Most of the energy becomes body heat. Exercising can raise core body temperature by almost 2 degrees every
five minutes, if no heat escapes the body. Wait, there’s more:
sunlight and high air temperatures contribute to the problem by increasing skin
temperatures, and humidity slows evaporation of sweat, one of the human body’s main
mechanisms for removing heat.
What the experts don’t know is why some athletes succumb to heat and others don’t. They also don’t know of a sure way to avoid heatstroke, although they have a couple of ideas, such as staying hydrated and drinking cooled water rather than water that is the same temperature as the air. And they do know what to do if you are unlucky enough to become ill:cool down your core temperature any way you can.Jumping into a tub of ice water is one good way to do that.
Read more in the New York Times.
Health, fitness and lifestyle tips for people over 50 who still like to play hard
Tuesday, June 3, 2025
Jumping into a tub of ice water when suffering from heatstroke is a good way to have a heart attack. I’d suggest cool water is a better idea.
Who would drink warm water on a hot day?? And yes , ice water would shock one’s system so much that cardiac arrest could be a probability.
Hi Rich!
Your comment makes a lot of sense, but, it seems to be confused with an articles I’ve read about “rapid cooling” etc. Would you mind giving me a reference to back-up your excellent “common sense” statement.
Thanks
DonJ