Playing in heat and humidity
hairsprayhon
Posts: 334 Member
Two weeks ago, I wore long sleeves and pants and was still cold for a night match! How I longed for warmer weather. Now the heat index is nearing 100 degrees. Any tips for dealing with matches when the sweat is just pouring off of you even before the first change over?
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Replies
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I am so sorry, Hair. Seems you have us all quite stumped with this one.
Yeah, the heat is a *****. . .
I live where summer days frequently get over 100 degrees F, which doesn't make me an expert, just a masochist. And, I can only think of three things to tell you.
Play early in the day.
Bring a big towel, so you don't always have to be using your sleeves, sweatbands, etc. to wipe off.
And, hydrate before you hit the court. I don't know if others will agree with this, but I much prefer drinking two big glasses of water before playing, to taking lots of drinks while I am playing. That makes me feel more bloated and sluggish and slow.
Congrats on the graduation, BTW.0 -
I hate the humidity too. I had to retire from a final match a couple summers ago because I was getting sick from the heat. It was +46 Celsius (114 Fahrenheit!) and I played 2 full matches leading to the final in one day. I was sick for 2 days after!
So now I hydrate big time before the tournament, I wear a hat or visor, loads of sunblock, I nibble on a banana, and I drink Gatorade or PowerAde during the match. I also bring a towel. Even an umbrella would be nice to keep the sun off on changeovers. I am more fit now than I was 2 years ago, so that may help too, but I have found these things help. I have our first official tournament this weekend and its supposed to be cold and crappy!! I shouldn't have to worry about the heat!!0 -
Water, Water, Water
During the off season, I am very bad about keeping my body hydrated. However, weeks before starting a new season (especially summer), I start ramping up my water intake from about 8 to 10 cups per day to about a gallon per day. Yeah, you will take more trips to the bathroom for a week or two. But when your body gets accustomed you will be better prepared than opponents for those hot humid days of summer.
During a match, I will easily drink a 32oz bottle of water per set in addition to any sport drinks that I might bring along. During change overs, cool down with a frog tog. Bring extra hats and wrists bands (if you wear them); for me, I have a hat and wrist band for each set.
Sometimes, I might change my t-shirt and socks when going into a third set.
REMEMBER: Its a huge red flag whenever someone has stopped sweating. Usually indicates the first signs of heat exhaustion which leads to heat stroke (and worse.).
(Several years ago, we has some play off matches here in Georgia. The opposing team had to send several of their players to the hospital for heat injuries. One had to get surgery on his calf muscle due to extreme cramping.)0
