Hydration key to preventing heat illness

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI) - Some Indiana State University researchers study how to keep athletes safe in extreme heat.

They said at least 50 percent of Indiana athletes start of preseason dehydrated.

The best way to measure dehydration is by loss in body mass.

If a player loses a few pounds, they need to re-hydrate themselves by a few litres of water.

If they start dehydrated, it's difficult to measure how much water they really need.

The researchers have studied athletes at the high school, college, and professional levels.

"Hydration is absolutely, 100 percent, related to rises in core body temperature. We know that when people are dehydrated they're more suceptable to heat illness. So, we have to be on top of maintaining their hydration status," researcher Lindsey Eberman said.

The researchers also said in extreme heat conditions, athletes should only practice outside before 9 a.m. and after 4 p.m.