Explore These Tips for Safe Court Play in the Heat
To boost fluid intake, players should always carry a large water bottle and drink even when they're not thirsty.
Playing tennis in hot weather is potentially dangerous and can affect a person's gameplay and overall health. Fortunately, there are several ways both professional and amateur players can protect themselves from the heat and ensure safe court play.
Keep reading to learn more.
Stay hydrated
Drinking enough fluids allows the body to function correctly, especially when tackling extreme heat.
To boost fluid intake, players should always carry a large water bottle and drink even when they're not thirsty.
Another way to maintain hydration is cutting down on hot meals before playing. Instead, go for food with high water content.
Some players prefer sports drink packets that contain high electrolytes and glucose levels and replenish the body's fluids.
Pick the appropriate footwear
Hard tennis courts capture heat transferred to the body through the feet. So, it is essential to find a pair of shoes that have a cooling effect on the soles of your feet. Until you get to the court, wear sandals or outdoor slippers to allow the feet to breathe.
Also, find socks that absorb excess sweat and prevent the feet from developing blisters. The socks should feel comfortable even after hours in the sun. Players who've got several matches lined up need to pack an extra pair of socks they can change into to ensure maximum comfort and mobility.
Choose lightweight and light-colored clothing
Although people want to have beautiful training gear, its performance in the sun is an important aspect to consider when selecting an outfit. Breathable materials that feel lightweight on the skin soak up sweat and dry quickly, keeping the player in a good mood. Additionally, white clothes are less affected by visible light than darker clothing. Therefore, white clothes don't raise the player's body temperature.
Maintain the racket
Tennis rackets also suffer due to extreme weather conditions. Therefore, choosing a durable racket is essential in leveling up court performance.
High temperatures degrade the racket strings, so tighten the strings before and during matches to regain control of the shots.
Avoid alcohol and caffeine
Alcohol, coffee, fizzy drinks, and tea are associated with dehydration, making the mouth feel unusually dry. These drinks act as diuretics, meaning that they cause the body to lose water. Moreover, drinks with high sugar concentrations impair the body's ability to absorb water, so steer clear of them before the match.
Ice packs to cool down
Placing ice packs over body areas like the head and armpits helps us cool down and improves blood flow to the muscles. If possible, take short breaks to refresh with an ice pack and take a sip of cool water.
Court maintenance
While tennis players need to take steps to protect themselves from high temperatures, premature wear damages the court so that it captures more heat.
Heat radiating from the court is a tennis player's primary opponent. Regular maintenance makes the court more resilient to extreme weather and prolongs its service life. Contact a professional service provider to keep the court in perfect condition and prevent premature wear.
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