SPORTS TRAINERS GUIDE SPORT TRAINERS GUIDE ENVIRONME INFLUENCES ON SPORTI ATHLETES ARE During exercise, the body produces a lotprocess of converting liquid to gas. On COMMONLY AFFECTED of heat. This heat must be lost, or serioushot and humid days, it is more difficult to problems can occur. When exercising,cool the body by evaporation because the BY ILLNESSES ARISING it is important that the body’s coreair is already saturated with water, which temperature (internal temperature) isreduces the capacity for evaporation. FROM HEAT OR COLD. maintained within a narrow range. When IF NOT MANAGED the core temperature moves outside of Radiation this range, the body’s capacity to performHeat can radiate from a warm object to PROMPTLY AND activity will be reduced. When exercisinga cooler one. In a cold climate, athletes APPROPRIATELY, in warm conditions temperature controlwill radiate heat to the environment becomes more difficult. In cooler climates,surrounding them. During exercise on a THESE ILLNESSES CAN heat loss is not usually a problem but, if itwarm day an athlete will gain heat from BECOME SERIOUS. is very cold, the body may not producethe surrounding environment. enough heat to keep the core temperature within an acceptable range. Convection Airflow across the body results in heat HOW THE BODY LOSES loss by convection. Cold, windy conditions AND GAINS HEAT increase heat loss by convection. Athletes should be aware of the increased The body can lose or gain heat in severalpotential for heat loss by this method ways. when exercising in these conditions. Clothing also influences heat transfer by Evaporation convection. The major means by which the body loses heat during exercise is by evaporation of Conduction sweat from the skin. Evaporation is theHeat is transferred when two objects 50 VOLUME 36 • APRIL ISSUE 2018