Feel Good


Feel Good Report: Cool Down for Your Summer Workout

A study shows it makes a difference.

BY June 9, 2015

 

 

Getting ready for a run outside this time of year? You may want to “pre-cool.”

As detailed in The New York Times, research published in the Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports suggested that lowering body temperature may make for a more comfortable jog on a hot summer day. The study gave participants a slushie to drink or draped their bodies in cold, wet clothing. In both cases, compared to when they received simply a room-temperature drink, they reported an ability to run with more intensity, at least before their bodies warmed up again.

While cooling down beforehand may help, it’s just one step to make sure all goes well during your summer workout. The U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps recommends several steps to avoid overheating:

  • Try to rest every 10 minutes and change wet clothing frequently.
  • Avoid the sun by exercising before 10 a.m. or after 6 p.m.
  • Wear lightweight and breathable clothing.
  • Wear a sunscreen with an SPF factor of less than 15. (An SPF above that can mess with the body’s ability to regulate temperature.)
  • And, of course, drink plenty of water before, during and after exercise.

For more detailed recommendations, click here.  

 

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