Archive · 19 Aug 2026
Expert Warns Midday Exercise May Increase Summer Heat Stroke Risk
Summer heat can make outdoor exercise harder on the body.
Heat and humidity make the body work harder to stay cool.
Running, walking, cycling and other outdoor workouts can become risky in these conditions.
Exercising during the hottest part of the day can raise the chance of heat-related illness.
Heat stroke is a serious illness that can threaten a person’s life.
Dr Laura Marsh says people do not have to stop exercising during summer.
Instead, they should be more careful about when and how they exercise.
Choosing the timing and approach carefully can make summer workouts safer.
Summer heat and humidity make the body work harder to stay cool during exercise.
Running, walking, cycling and outdoor workouts can become more dangerous in hot weather.
Exercising during the hottest part of the day may increase the risk of heat-related illness.
Heat stroke is a potentially life-threatening consequence of exercising in extreme heat.
Dr Laura Marsh says people can continue exercising in summer if they are more careful about when and how they do it.
- Who
- Dr Laura Marsh and people who exercise outdoors.
- What
- A warning that exercising during the hottest part of the day can increase the risk of heat-related illness, including heat stroke.
- When
- During summer, especially during the hottest part of the day.
- Where
- Outdoors, including while running, walking, cycling or working out.
- Why
- High temperatures and humidity make it harder for the body to stay cool.
- Expert
- Dr Laura Marsh, clinical assistant professor at Texas A&M University College of Medicine and director of its sports medicine fellowship.
- Main risk
- Heat-related illness, including potentially life-threatening heat stroke.
- Risk factor
- Exercising during the hottest part of the day.
- Conditions
- Rising temperatures and humidity.
- Activities mentioned
- Running, walking, cycling and outdoor workouts.
- Expert advice
- People do not need to stop exercising in summer, but should be more careful about when and how they exercise.