Exercising on hot days is a great opportunity to condition our body to withstand the summer heat.
Exercising under a hot sun is not advisable; but exercising in hot weather does increase the body’s tolerance to heat and will make life more comfortable on hot summer days.
Providing proper precautions are taken and staying hydrated, exercising in the heat increases the blood volume through the body, thereby improving the body’s cooling ability by efficiently sweating.
Sweating may be less than flattering and seem crude for gentle people. In polite society; “Horses sweat, Men perspire, and Women glow.”
An interesting fact is; women have more sweat glands than men, but men’s sweat glands produce more sweat. Therefore, physiologically men do “perspire” whereas women “glow!”
Improved ability to tolerate heat without discomfort is simply a matter of placing the body in conditions that force it to adapt. The body is programmed to survive and learns very quickly!
Exercising in heat is more effective to produce heat acclimatisation than heat exposure without exercise. Aerobic fitness is a major factor in heat tolerance.
When you exercise and increase the body’s temperature, your body produces a compound called heat shock protein.
Heat shock proteins are families of proteins “that are produced by cells in response to exposure to stressful conditions.” From Wikipedia.
Heat shock proteins are thought to mobilise the immune function against infections and diseases.
How? By sweating!
We see the heat shock proteins working when we have a fever, or when we are anxious and nervous, or exercising to become fitter.
Sweating when exercising should not be feared because more sweat in class means we will be in better condition to tackle any “sweatful” condition outside class.
I leave you with thoughts for your fitness success, knowing often success is found covered in sweat!
Stay cool and enjoy your exercising!
Anna
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