Myths abound about the ability of children to exercise in the heat and about what they should drink before, during and after sports to stay hydrated.  Here are the top five heat illness and hydration myths about children.

 

Myth #1: Youth can't handle the heat as well as adults

 

Fact: Researchers previously suggested that children were less effective in regulating body temperature, put more strain on their cardiovascular system, and had a lower tolerance for exercise in the heat compared to adults. 

 

Contrary to previous thinking, children are not especially vulnerable and can handle the heat just as well as adults.

 

Myth #2: Youth are more susceptible to heat stroke than adults