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Part of the book series: SpringerBriefs in Medical Earth Sciences ((BRIEFSMEEASC))

Abstract

Features that are unique to sports participation, such as the timing of the season, use of protective equipment, and prolonged exposure to the sun, make athletes no exception to the risk of extreme heat. In order to attenuate the heat strain imposed on the body during exercise in the heat, heat acclimatization and activity modification guidelines are commonly utilized to enhance the physiological adaptations to the heat and control work-to-rest. Implementation of such guidelines has effectively reduced the numbers of exertional heat stroke fatalities among athletes; however, further research is warranted in establishing policies that account for the ever-increasing threat of climate change and promote the proactive use of weather and climate data to modify athletic activities.

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Hosokawa, Y., Adams, W.M. (2018). Heat Risks in Athletics. In: Hosokawa, Y. (eds) Human Health and Physical Activity During Heat Exposure. SpringerBriefs in Medical Earth Sciences. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-75889-3_6

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