Staying Safe and Healthy During Summer Sports
As the Missouri summer marches on and the temperatures stay hot, it’s more important than ever to stay safe and hydrated during sports and activities. Whether you are in a summer league yourself or have children participating in a summer sport, it’s essential to pay attention and stay safe during these warmer months. As the official Pharmacy of the Bearcats, Rogers Pharmacy knows the importance of taking the right precautions while on the field. Here are some tips for safely playing summer sports.
Practice warming up and cooling down
This is something you should be doing regardless of the season, but this is very important during the summer months. To avoid the risk of injury and heat exhaustion, it’s important to warm up by gently stretching and conditioning your body. The same is true when you are done with exercising—cooling down helps your heart rate and breathing return to resting levels gradually, helps avoid feeling dizziness, and promotes a smooth transition rather than stopping abruptly.
Use appropriate safety equipment
Just because it’s hot outside doesn’t mean you can skimp on your safety equipment. Helmets for biking, googles, fogless sunglasses, knee pads mouth guards and whatever protective gear is important for your sports should not be discarded because of the heat. A lot of sports equipment is breathable, and you are able to purchase special equipment based on warmer weather. Consider this as an alternative for ditching the pads!
Keep hydrated
When it’s hot outside, the best thing you can do for your body is staying hydrated. Water is best over sugary sports or energy drinks, however, some of these drinks are packed with electrolytes which prevents dehydration. Try to consider a sports drink that doesn’t have a lot of additives or extra colors added.
Don’t play in dangerous weather conditions
The summer months are notorious for storms, especially if it’s hot and humid outside. Playing sports is perfectly acceptable when there is a slight drizzle or gentle rain, but seek shelter immediately and stop playing if you hear thunder or see lightning. Strong dangerous winds and conditions can lead to serious injuries and it’s not worth the risk. The same goes for the heat index—if the heat is pushing well into the triple digits, consider taking more breaks or even rescheduling.
Pay attention to your body
Headaches, fatigue, dizziness, fainting, muscle cramps, these are all signs of possible heat exhaustion. This is a condition caused by not properly cooling the body during extreme heat.
If you don’t feel quite right, the best thing you can do is rest, move to a cooler location with shade, and stay hydrated. Ignoring signs of heat exhaustion can lead to heatstroke which can land you in the emergency room. You know your body best and when things don’t feel right, listen.
Everyone at Rogers Pharmacy hopes you have a safe and healthy summer! Rogers Pharmacy has been the source for medical supplies and equipment in the Maryville, MO area for years because of our superior commitment to provide you with the absolute best in product quality and customer service. For more tips or helpful supplies to beat the heat, stop on in and chat with one of our staff or pharmacists. To learn more about how Rogers Pharmacy in Maryville can best serve you, visit us online or give us a call at (660) 562-2300.
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