RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE CARE AND PREVENTION OF ILLNESS FROM PLAYING OUTDOOR SPORTS IN HOT WEATHER
Main Article Content
Abstract
Current climate change, especially global warming, has resulted in a continuous increase in global temperatures. This escalation not only impacts the environment but also has profound effects on human health, particularly in the context of outdoor physical activities such as sports. As temperatures increase, the human body must exert more effort physiological adjustments to maintain thermal homeostasis. Failure to adapt appropriately can lead to heat-related illnesses, such as dehydration, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke, all of which can be life-threatening. This article focuses on examining the effects of heat on outdoor sports, beginning with an analysis of the changing climate conditions and the rising temperatures that impact outdoor athletic activities. The study article categorizes sports into two main types: outdoor sports, such as football, running, cycling, and tennis, which are at higher risk for heat-related illnesses due to direct exposure to sunlight and uncontrolled environmental temperatures, and indoor sports, such as indoor volleyball, badminton, and fitness activities, which are less risky due to controlled environments. The research presented in this article proposes preventive measures for reducing the risk of heat-related illnesses during outdoor sports activities. These measures guidelines include adjusting the timing of physical activities, selecting appropriate clothing, ensuring adequate hydration and electrolyte intake, and learning to recognize early warning signs of heat-related illnesses. This comprehensive approach aims to equip participants with the knowledge and practices necessary to safely engage in outdoor sports, optimizing both performance and safety.
Article Details

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
References
Armstrong, L. E., Casa, D. J., Millard-Stafford, M., Moran, D. S., Pyne, S. W., and Roberts, W. O. (2007). Exertional heat illness during training and competition. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 39(3), 556-572.
Armstrong, L. E., Epstein, Y., Greenleaf, J. E., Haymes, E. M., Hubbard, R. W., Roberts, W. O., and Thompson, P. D. (1996). American college of sports medicine position stand. heat and cold illnesses during distance running. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 28(10), 139-148.
Bernard, P., Chevance, G., Kingsbury, C., Baillot, A., Romain, A. J., Molinier, V., Gadais, T., and Dancause, K. N. (2021). Climate change, physical activity and sport: a systematic review. Sports Medicine, 51(5), 1041-1059.
Casa, D. J., Armstrong, L. E., Kenny, G. P., O'Connor, F. G., and Huggins, R. A. (2012). Exertional heat stroke new concepts regarding cause and care. Journal of Athletic Training, 11(3), 115-123.
Casa, D. J., DeMartini, J. K., Bergeron, M. F., Csillan, D., Eichner, E. R., Lopez, R. M., Ferrara, M. S., Miller, K. C., O'Connor, F., Sawka, M. N., and Yeargin, S. W. (2015). National athletic trainers' association position statement: exertional heat illnesses. Journal of Athletic Training, 50(9), 986-1000.
Chan-ocha, A., Pipatphol, W., and Nakapreecha, S. (2020). The analysis of the impact of hot weather on athlete performance. Journal of Sports Science and Exercise, 18(1), 45-58.
Chan-ocha, A., Pipatphol, W., and Nakapreecha, S. (2020). The analysis of the impact of hot weather conditions on athlete performance. Journal of Health Research, 15(1), 45-56.
Climate Center. (2023). Global warming. (Online). Retrieved December 12, 2024, from Climate Center Website: http://climate.tmd.go.th/content/file/11
Epstein, Y., and Yanovich, R. (2019). Heatstroke. The New England Journal of Medicine, 380(25), 2449-2459.
Guyton, A. C., and Hall, J. E. (2011). Guyton and Hall textbook of medical physiology. Newton: Elsevier.
Kaewprasert, S., and Inkaew, N. (2022). Risk management of heat in sports activities in high-temperature areas. Thai Journal of Sports Medicine, 19(1), 34-47.
Kenefick, R. W., and Sawka, M. N. (2017). Hydration at the work site. Journal of the American College of Nutrition 26(5 Supplement), 597-603. DOI:10.1080/07315724.2007.10719665
Kittithach, K. (2020). Guidelines for heat stroke prevention in Thai athletes. Journal of Sports Science and Health, 7(1), 45-53.
Namcha. (2024). Differences between indoor sports and outdoor sports you should know. (Online). Retrieved December 20, 2024, from Numcha Website: https://numcha.com/sport
Nanticha, P. (2019). Managing heat-related illnesses in school sports activities: case study in Thailand. Thai Journal of Sports Science, 3(2), 75-88.
Phongpanich, T., Suksawat, K., and Srisombat, B. (2021). Heat management in sports activities: practical guidelines and prevention. Journal of Medicine and Sports Science, 18(3), 77-89.
Saengsuwan, S. (2019). Evaluation of a training program for heat adaptation. Journal of School Sports, 7(4), 210-223.
Sawka, M. N., Burke, L. M., Eichner, E. R., Maughan, R. J., Montain, S. J., and Stachenfeld, N. S. (2007). American college of sports medicine position stand exercise and fluid replacement. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 39(2), 377-390.
Sekiguchi, Y., Benjamin, C. L., Lee, E. C., Struder, J. F., Manning, C. N., Morrissey, M. C., Szymanski, M. R., Stearns, R. L., Armstrong, L. E., and Casa, D. J. (2022). Effects of heat acclimation following heat acclimatization on whole body heat exchange in trained endurance athletes. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(11), 6412. DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19116412
Srisuwan, W., and Saengthong, P. (2021). The effectiveness of a heat illness prevention program in sports activities. Journal of Modern Sports Research, 22(2), 139-150.