{"id":7654,"date":"2026-01-07T10:53:43","date_gmt":"2026-01-07T03:53:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/?p=7654"},"modified":"2026-01-07T10:53:45","modified_gmt":"2026-01-07T03:53:45","slug":"how-hot-is-too-hot-heres-what-to-consider-when-exercising-in-the-heat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/how-hot-is-too-hot-heres-what-to-consider-when-exercising-in-the-heat\/","title":{"rendered":"How hot is too hot? Here\u2019s what to consider when exercising in the\u00a0heat"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

If you like to exercise outdoors, summer gives you more chance to catch the daylight. It\u2019s often easier to get out of bed and still light when you finish work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But what about when it gets really hot?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Regular exercise throughout the year is crucial for maintaining good health. But in summer you might feel yourself sweating more and wonder if it\u2019s actually risky.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, how hot is too hot? Here\u2019s what to keep in mind when exercising in the heat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are the health risks?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Normally, the body maintains a core temperature around 37\u00b0C. But exercising \u2013 especially when it\u2019s hot and humid \u2013 can put more strain on these processes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even seemingly small changes in core temperature, of around 3\u00b0C, can potentially lead to exertional heat illness. This is when your body becomes overwhelmed trying to control a rapid rise in core temperature, especially during strenuous activity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mild symptoms can include headaches and feeling faint. Severe cases can lead to seizures, loss of consciousness or even death.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, how hot is too hot?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It would be great if there was a definitive temperature cut-off we could point to. But the answer isn\u2019t so straightforward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Environmental factors that can lead to exertional heat illness involve more than just the air temperature. Humidity, wind speed, and solar load (meaning how much cloud cover there is) can interact and affect how hot it feels and how well your body copes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, in humid weather, the amount of moisture in the air makes it harder for sweat to evaporate off the skin\u2019s surface \u2013 which is the body\u2019s best cooling mechanism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Does the type of exercise matter?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

How long and hard you train will also affect how much heat your body stores.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The American College of Sports Medicine recommends non-continuous exercise \u2013 such as football \u2013 can go ahead in hotter conditions than continuous exercise, such as long-distance running or cycling. This is because breaks help the body cool down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can check your risk with Sport Medicine Australia\u2019s online tool, which uses your location and the sport to provide a \u201csport heat score\u201d and key recommendations, such as hydration and cooling interventions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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You can check your by entering your sport and location into the online tool. Heat and Health Research Centre, University of Sydney <\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Other factors can also play a role in your risk of exertional heat illness:<\/p>\n\n\n\n