Training in the heat may not appeal to most, but it also has its advantages. However, it is important to know what happens to our body during its stress in hot conditions, so that we train as correctly as possible. The good news is that we burn more calories when we exercise in the sun and heat, but we also need to be careful. So here are 5 scientific facts about exercising in the heat.
- The higher the body temperature, the more calories we burn
As the ambient temperature rises, so does our body temperature. Our system then has to work harder to keep your body at a normal temperature. The lungs and heart work harder in the heat and, as the body has to work harder, it burns more calories.
Changes in temperature affect calorie burning. When training in hot conditions, the body tries to maintain an average temperature of 36°C. However, whenever there is a temperature fluctuation, more calories are burned to compensate for the fluctuations. This energy is drawn from excess calories and fat reserves.
- The body sweats to cool down and keep the temperature in balance
Sweat is the skin’s natural cooling system and is activated when we exercise in higher temperatures. We produce more sweat to release heat and lower our body temperature. Sweat on the skin evaporates, which keeps your body temperature in a healthy range. But we must know that greater sweat production does not necessarily mean greater calorie burning.
If we start sweating right at the start of the workout, it doesn’t mean we’re out of shape. When the body learns to start getting cold earlier, it is normal to start sweating faster than other people.
- Basic metabolic rate affects calorie burning
The combination of heat and exercise makes us burn more energy. But it’s not just the temperature. It mainly depends on factors such as age, weight and height and varies from person to person.
You can change your metabolic rate by increasing muscle mass. A more muscular body has a higher metabolism – muscles burn calories faster than any other bodily function. Most people naturally burn more calories in the summer because they are more likely to participate in outdoor exercise.
- Exercising in the summer heat carries risks
Exercising in the heat has some risks, as the heat and humidity can make our bodies feel exhausted quickly. It is important to stop exercising immediately when feeling dizzy, slow reflexes and reactions or nausea. Then we must seek shade to rest and drink water. We need to give our body the time it needs to rest and adapt to training in the heat.
