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|Precautions and Heat Related Emergencies|
In hot and humid environments, Equestrian sport can be very challenging for all human and equine athletes and their entourage as well as for Officials and staff working at events. For everyone to be safe and able to perform at the top of their game, it’s important to understand heat and humidity, and how they can affect us, especially in a sporting context.
A "hot and humid environment" is a place where environmental factors significantly increase the body temperature to uncomfortable or even dangerous levels. Sweat, which usually cools the body by dissipating excessive heat, does not evaporate fast in the heat and humidity. As a result, body temperature rises more quickly, which in turn can pose a serious threat to your health if not properly managed. Heat stress is responsible for dehydration, fatigue & loss of strength, dizziness, headaches, cramps, longer reaction times, and poor judgment.
As an Athlete, Official or staff member, it's important to prepare yourself if you want to be at your best once in competition under hot and humid climates. You will need to master three essential tools: acclimatisation, hydration, and cooling.
For Para athletes the techniques explained below may need to be adapted to your specific condition based on your doctor’s recommendations. A Para athlete’s predisposition to thermal strain can be amplified by a number of factors, including the complexity of the impairment and classification of the athlete. For detailed information please refer to the article "Heat-related issues and practical applications for Paralympic athletes at Tokyo 2020" by Katy E. Griggs, Ben T. Stephenson, Michael J. Price & Victoria L. Goosey-Tolfrey (June 2019) (publishers: Taylor & Francis Ltd; www.tandfonline.com).
Note: Before you begin with the heat and humidity management process described on this page, you should discuss with your doctor:
- The implications of heat and humidity on any existing condition and medical treatment,
- The acclimatisation process explained under section "Preparation" below,
- Your jet lag reduction strategy (see section "Travel Advice" below).
“Acclimatisation” is the action of getting your body used to a different environment and operate normally under it. It can take from 2 to 4 weeks to fully acclimatise and it's best to start the process at least 2 weeks before travel, to reduce and ease the on-site acclimatisation period. If you live in a hot and dry country, you still need to acclimatise to humidity, because it places considerable strain on the body.
How to acclimatise? Train every day for 1 to 1.5 hours in similar heat and humidity conditions to the competition country*, using one or a mix of the following options (NB: accurate information on the climate of any country or city can be obtained on websites such as Weather Underground):
In all cases, monitor your progress and adapt your strategy accordingly, consulting with your doctor if needed. If you usually don't exercise regularly, seek your doctor's advice before getting started and train gradually (fast walking, treadmill, cycling).
If it is logistically impossible for you to train in similar heat and humidity conditions to the competition country, keep in mind that even improved physical fitness alone helps in coping with the climate.
Hydration is vital. Even a small degree of dehydration can affect negatively your physical and mental performance and your health.
As soon as you start your acclimatisation process, implement the following:
3. Cooling techniques
It is imperative to learn and practice cooling techniques early so that they have become second nature for you before you arrive at the competition venue.
Before exercise, stay cool for as long as possible:
After exercise, cool down as soon as possible:
Note: during competition time, ice vests are not particularly useful if the performance is short. They are however accepted (worn under the jacket) in the following disciplines:
- Eventing (except during the Cross-country test, as ice vests are incompatible with body protectors)
- Para Dressage
- Driving (except in the Marathon phase, as ice vests are incompatible with body protectors)
2. Minimise unnecessary heat and sun exposure and protect yourself at all times with:
3. Hydrate properly
Drink regularly and throughout the day. Complement if necessary with an isotonic drink after competition or intense exercise.
4. Make sure you comply with the heat management rules and policies which may apply at the event.
PRECAUTIONS AND HEAT-RELATED EMERGENCIES
Some medical conditions can be seriously affected by heat. If an athlete is on medication or has a chronic medical condition, medical advice must be sought before final selection/entry. Even minor viral illnesses should be discussed with a team doctor or local physician.
Know how to identify the signs and symptoms of heat illness and respond to an emergency. Signs and symptoms include:
If you or anyone around you is experiencing these symptoms, it might well be heat distress or a heat stroke. Call for medical assistance and start the first-help procedure below:
After a heat-related illness, even a slight one, consult with your doctor and adapt protection, cooling, and hydration strategies accordingly. It might take up to 4 weeks to recover so stay vigilant at all times and follow the recommendations.