Humidity may take a toll on physical activity
If you’re having trouble exercising during humid summer months, you’re not alone.
A new study has found that adults are less physically active — and more obese — in counties where summers are hot, especially if they are also muggy or rainy. The same is true for areas where winters are particularly cold, cloudy and dark.
Published in the American Journal of Public Health, the new research helps explain why people in certain regions of the United States are more likely to be obese, the study authors said.
According to the study map, the least active and most obese people are in areas where the summers are hot and humid, primarily in the Southeast. Many of the most active, least obese people are in the mountain West region, where summers are cool and dry.
The impact of weather on obesity remained even after the researchers controlled for other factors, including urban sprawl, population characteristics, parks, stores and restaurants.
“Living in Texas as I do, the results really resonated for me,” said lead study author Paul von Hippel, in a news release. “Around June or July here, it starts getting hard to think about going outside for a jog or even a brisk walk.”
Developers and planners wanting to encourage physical activity should first consider what people will and won’t do in summer heat, the researchers advise.
“Some planners are more thoughtful about that than others,” von Hippel said. “A great example of thoughtful planning is the hike-and-bike trail along Lady Bird Lake in Austin, Tex. It’s shady, it’s next to water and it attracts thousands of walkers, runners and bikers on the hottest summer days.”
If you’re struggling to stick to your summer fitness plan,Teresa Beckman, a physical therapist at Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville, Ill., offers the following tips:
- Take your workout indoors. “If you’re not a big fan of the heat and humidity, head to the gym,” Beckman says. “An elliptical trainer or rowing machine provides a fantastic total body workout.”
- Be accountable. “Regardless of the weather, it’s easy to think up a billion reasons to put working out on the back burner,” Beckman says. “However, if you sign up for a class or make plans to meet up with a friend for a run, it’s harder to ditch your workout.”
- Don’t plan to do something you really don’t like. “If you don’t like running – especially in the heat – try biking or wading in a pool,” she says. “The key to staying focused on a fitness plan is to make sure it involves what you enjoy doing.”
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health enews staff is a group of experienced writers from our Advocate Health Care and Aurora Health Care sites, which also includes freelance or intern writers.
This definitely makes sense. One of my favorite indoor workouts in rock climbing!
I try and workout early in the morning. It’s usually less humid then and the sun isn’t shining too brightly which makes a big difference!
I get this! The best time for outdoor exercise in Chicago is the morning, before the sun comes up fully. I think people are just as liable to not work out when it’s too hot and humid as when it’s too cold!
I definitely agree. I feel very exhausted if I am running outside in the humidity. I try to run indoors on hot/humid days.