Exercising in Extreme Heat

Heat exhaustion and heatstroke can be caused by exercising in extreme heat.  They are serious medical conditions occurring when the body’s temperature rises and the internal organs start to shut down. Dehydration also leads to heat stress on the body, which develops into heat exhaustion and heatstroke.

The risk of heat stress is higher when you exercise. In extreme heat you lose water as you sweat and heat exhaustion can creep up on you in the hours and days after you exercise. If it is not treated it can develop into heatstroke, which can be fatal.

There are things you can do to stay safe in extreme heat like exercising in the coolest part of the day and drinking at least two litres of water throughout the day to keep your body hydrated. If you must go out, apply sunscreen, wear a hat, and take a bottle of water with you.

For more information visit  betterhealth.vic.gov.au/heat