Heat related stress

[blindsquirrel]

I am 38 y/o and play once or twice a week. During the winter months I play indoors. I am not in great shape but I do exercise fairly regularly in addition to tennis. I am a few lbs. overweight but not significantly. At any rate, playing indoors or in cooler weather I am fine. However, we had our first really warm day yesterday (about 85 degrees) and I played some doubles with members of our HS team (no better than 3.0 players so I did not have to really exert) and after just a few games I was feeling extremely fatigued, short of breath, lethargic and lacking energy. I have had this problem in the past playing outdoors in just moderate heat. What gives? Is it all heat related? I thought maybe an iron or potassium deficiency or does heat just do that much to you? My indoor partners play much more competitively and I exert much more than I did outdoors yesterday. Any nutritional or fitness expertise wouuld be appreciated.

 

[NoBadMojo]

Heat effects some people more than others, and you arent acclimated to playing in the heat yet. Likely you are ok since you arent troubled when plaing in a climate controlled environ, but not too good a guy your age would become that fatigued by playing 3.0 doubles. if the sun is out and it is hot, you should wear a hat. you should also be sure you come to the court well hydrated and that you continue to drink fluids during play

 

[blindsquirrel]

re:

case in point: my buddy that I play most with is around the same age, same shape, weight and everything. When we play in heat, I am dying and he is freash. I really feel at times that I am going to pass out---haven't yet, but i have had to stop a number of times. It really freaked me out playing the 3.0 doubles (I am 4.0) since I wasn't doing too much moving or exerting. Like I said, just a few games in and I was already short of breath, heart pounding, muscles tightening etc.

 

[chess9]

My personal view is that you should see your doctor for an exam. At your age a thallium stress test might be appropriate, particularly if you have a history of family heart problems, diabetes, etc.

You say you are a few pounds overweight, but, generally speaking, most people under report the number of pounds they are overweight. You don't give us any real world data, so I get the feeling you are dodging this issue. Furthermore, you said nothing about your diet. In males, that is usually a sign that they don't pay attention to their diets, so they don't relate diet to health problems.

You could be low on iron if you are a vegetarian, but that should be diagnosed because taking iron supplements without a need for them can cause very serious health problems. They CAN kill you under the right set of circumstances. Ask for a serum ferritin test specifically.

Do you run? For instance, what is your current 3 mile time over a flat course? What sort of heart rates do you have during the run? If you go to a gym, they can show you how to do a simple fit test on the treadmill that lasts 6 minutes. By way of example, at my age (63), I can run about 1500 meters in 6 minutes. I have a friend with emphysema and 25% lung function and she does about 300 meters. The average American male, age 38 ought to be able to do 1500 meters in 6 minutes because that sort of time takes NO talent, just some half decent fitness.

Do you smoke? Have you ever smoked? Have you had a history of asthma? Have you been checked for asthma or COPD? COPD is the fastest growing disease in the world and now ranks 4th in the USA. I was diagnosed with asthma at age 60 despite never having smoked, and my pulmonologist told me I probably had it my whole life and didn't know it.

Good luck!
-Robert
________
Wellbutrin death

 

[chess9]

Something else, any time you exercise in heat, you put additional stress on your heart and lungs and other organs. The more overweight you are, the greater the stress on your body when exercising in heat. That's why so many guys keel over in hot summer races. The stress levels can be very high.

By way of example, on a 40 degree day, I can go out and run 10 miles and hold about 8:30 minutes or better per mile fairly well. If it's 90 degrees out I'm doing 9:30 or slower. Kapish? And, the older you are, the greater the effect. As we age, we do not tolerate heat or cold as well as the kids do. I see kids out in shirtsleeves on days I must have a sweater.

-Robert
________
Expert insurance

 

[blindsquirrel]

My personal view is that you should see your doctor for an exam. At your age a thallium stress test might be appropriate, particularly if you have a history of family heart problems, diabetes, etc.

You say you are a few pounds overweight, but, generally speaking, most people under report the number of pounds they are overweight. You don't give us any real world data, so I get the feeling you are dodging this issue. Furthermore, you said nothing about your diet. In males, that is usually a sign that they don't pay attention to their diets, so they don't relate diet to health problems.

You could be low on iron if you are a vegetarian, but that should be diagnosed because taking iron supplements without a need for them can cause very serious health problems. They CAN kill you under the right set of circumstances. Ask for a serum ferritin test specifically.

Do you run? For instance, what is your current 3 mile time over a flat course? What sort of heart rates do you have during the run? If you go to a gym, they can show you how to do a simple fit test on the treadmill that lasts 6 minutes. By way of example, at my age (63), I can run about 1500 meters in 6 minutes. I have a friend with emphysema and 25% lung function and she does about 300 meters. The average American male, age 38 ought to be able to do 1500 meters in 6 minutes because that sort of time takes NO talent, just some half decent fitness.

Do you smoke? Have you ever smoked? Have you had a history of asthma? Have you been checked for asthma or COPD? COPD is the fastest growing disease in the world and now ranks 4th in the USA. I was diagnosed with asthma at age 60 despite never having smoked, and my pulmonologist told me I probably had it my whole life and didn't know it.

Good luck!
-Robert

Actually, my diet is horrible, I do not smoke however. I probably am underestimating just how unfit I am. I weight approx. 205-210 and am 5'11 1/2-6'0" tall. I do not run for fitness (rarely ever have---my back cannot take the pounding though I suffer through it for tennis). I simply need to start eating better, lose about 15 lbs. Like I said, my diet is atrocious and the older i am getting the more it affects my weight. Like you said, I m probably dodging the issue.

 

[chess9]

Ok. That is very helpful. I would say you are 30 lbs overweight unless you are built like Roscoe Tanner-i.e. very muscular. That's a lot of weight to carry around. But, the weight is only the exterior manifestation of what you are doing to your arteries and veins and heart and brain. You are probably eating a lot of transfatty acids (Can you say Mickey D's cheeseburgers? )

Please see your doctor and start a meaningful exercise program and grab yourself by the ass and start eating properly. Otherwise, you will be a statistic and not a living breathing human being. You need a very thorough checkup because at your age you shouldn't be having those problems in doubles with a little heat, IMHO.

At my club almost everyone in their 30's and early 40's is overweight. It's a common problem for people who are working hard and raising a family. I have mentioned this issue here about 5 times in my posts, but I doubt it's getting through to many people. Alas, but my words have forked no lightning.

Good luck!

-Robert
________
SUBARU LEONE SPECIFICATIONS

 

[blindsquirrel]

Ok. That is very helpful. I would say you are 30 lbs overweight unless you are built like Roscoe Tanner-i.e. very muscular. That's a lot of weight to carry around. But, the weight is only the exterior manifestation of what you are doing to your arteries and veins and heart and brain. You are probably eating a lot of transfatty acids (Can you say Mickey D's cheeseburgers? )

Please see your doctor and start a meaningful exercise program and grab yourself by the ass and start eating properly. Otherwise, you will be a statistic and not a living breathing human being. You need a very thorough checkup because at your age you shouldn't be having those problems in doubles with a little heat, IMHO.

At my club almost everyone in their 30's and early 40's is overweight. It's a common problem for people who are working hard and raising a family. I have mentioned this issue here about 5 times in my posts, but I doubt it's getting through to many people. Alas, but my words have forked no lightning.

Good luck!

-Robert

In my defense I am very muscularly built---chest, arms, legs. Use to lift a lot of weights. But I do eat a lot of Miickey D's cheeseburgers etc so your point is taken there.

 

[chess9]

If that is the case, then you might only be 10-20 lbs overweight. That's not unmanageable, so just buckle down for the next 50 years.

Oh, you might try rowing, the stationary bike, or elliptical trainer to get some cardio fitness. Running is great, but so are those.

See your doctor sooner rather than later. Let us know what he says.

Good luck!

-Robert
________
Motorcycle tires

 

[North]

Actually, my diet is horrible, I do not smoke however. I probably am underestimating just how unfit I am. I weight approx. 205-210 and am 5'11 1/2-6'0" tall. I do not run for fitness (rarely ever have---my back cannot take the pounding though I suffer through it for tennis). I simply need to start eating better, lose about 15 lbs. Like I said, my diet is atrocious and the older i am getting the more it affects my weight. Like you said, I m probably dodging the issue.

Actually, your height and weight translate to a body mass index (lots of calculators for this online) of just over 29, which is considered overweight. BMI of 30 is classified as obese. To have muscle mass account for any significant proportion of the BMI, you have to be incredibly buff.

I lost 25 lbs last year (was still in way better shape than most people my age) and would never have admitted to how much all that extra weight was affecting me till I lost it. chess9 is on the money. See your doc, weight loss, lifestyle changes......Good luck!

 

[chess9]

Yes, North is on the money here. Losing weight has a huge psychological component. People overeat for a variety of reasons but there seems to be some compensatory mechanism at work. Stress in one's life is a big reason, IMHO. The large supply of trashy food is another. When I drive by Micky Dee's I nearly gag at the smell. Horrid stuff.

Admitting how much overweight you are is a good start for everyone.

-Robert
________
Lovely Wendie

 

[Marius_Hancu]

check the Sticky

the section related to nutrition

and get in shape (also in the Sticky), you don't seem to have a good cardio conditioning

 

[vinky]

Has no one mentioned this yet?

Maybe you're dehydrated, and need to consume more liquids throughout the day. NOT JUST DURING TENNIS, but from the moment you wake till the moment you sleep.

I forgot the pro recommendation but, 10+ cups of water a day should do it. More if you're especially active.