Vigorous exercise places some people at risk of heat illness, especially in hot weather. If untreated, heat illness can lead to the more serious and potentially life-threatening condition of heat stroke.
By understanding the causes of heat illness health professionals, coaches, players and anyone involved in sport or physical activity can help prevent heat illness by using the advice provided in the Guidelines to minimise the risks.
Most of the advice involves simple rules of common sense.
1. Listen to your body and stop or slow down if you feel unwell. This is particularly important for children.
2. Make sure that you have access to cool drinking water, wear a good hat and take particular care in the hottest parts of the day or year.
The target audience for the Guidelines are all Australians who undertake sport and physical activity, but they will be particularly useful to health professionals involved in the promotion of physical activity, coaches, fitness leaders and sports administrators.
PDF Downloads
Click here for Beat the Heat Fact Sheet
Click here for Hot Weather Guidelines