Athletes that are committed to achieving success, whether amateur or professional, do not let the weather or the environment get in the way. Sportspeople work out regardless of the weather, whether it’s the scorching sun and strewn dust of summer or the bone-chilling cold of winter.
Athletes must protect themselves from the elements, whether it is the heat, rain, or cold. They would be at risk of major health issues if they didn’t wear the proper protective gear, including lung damage, skin cancer, heat cramps, heat exhaustion, frostbite, and more. For best performance and least harm, they must carefully shield their faces, necks, and heads.
Athletes’ health is threatened by a variety of natural and man-made factors. Here are a handful of the most common:
Extreme Heat
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), athletes who exercise in intense heat without the proper protective gear risk dehydration and heat-related disorders such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke, which can be fatal.
The sun’s UV-A (longer wave) and UV-B (shorter wave) rays can cause accelerated aging, irreversible skin damage and multiple skin cancers. UV-B rays cause tanning and skin burns, leading to damaged skin cells and higher cancer risk.
Extreme Cold
“…excessive exposure to cold can overcome its auto-regulation mechanism,” stated Matthew Chinn, MD, of the Froedtert & MCW Moorland Reserve Emergency Department. “One way the body regulates its temperature is via shivering. The body’s shivering system may stop working as hypothermia continues, people may become confused, and the heart may stop beating normally.”
Cold air is difficult for human lungs to warm and humidify, which can dry and damage airways. When training in cold temperatures, athletes experience coughing, a burning sensation in the throat and windpipe, and breathing problems. Intense cold-weather exercise can cause dehydration, drying, and long-term, perhaps irreparable damage to the lining of the human airways.
Dust inhalation
Dust or particulate matter can have serious adverse health effects when inhaled without adequate protection:
1. Premature death in people with heart or lung disease
2. Irregular heartbeat
3. Magnified asthma symptoms
4. Reduced lung function. Larger particles, if inhaled can also lead to scarring of lung or airway tissue
5. Aggravated respiratory symptoms – irritation of the airways, coughing, wheezing, irregular breathing
Unfortunately, air pollution has become the norm for modern humans, particularly those who live in cities. Individuals can avoid the worst of it by practicing early in the morning or late in the evening (lower traffic rates and industry smells), but they still require protection against inhaling particles dispersed in the air. For most outdoor sportsmen, dust-free air is no longer a possibility.
Athletes and anyone who spends time outside frequently cover up with bandanas, kerchiefs, scarves, and other items to protect themselves. Clothing, on the other hand, is frequently rendered ineffectual in the face of heat, sunlight, humidity, and dust. When someone’s face and mouth are shrouded by garments, intense physical activity becomes extremely difficult.
Furthermore, due to exhaled breath and sweat, cloth covers grow damp, adding to the inconvenience. In the midst of intense and rigorous practice regimens, professional athletes cannot rely on homemade objects to cover their faces. They require breathable, lightweight face masks that give guaranteed protection and are built to withstand and adapt to the demands of strenuous movement in inclement weather.
How athletes can protect themselves without ruining their performance
NAROO designed the X-Series using specific fabric to ensure that their sports face masks, cycling neck gaiters, and ski balaclavas move as they do, with the goal of providing athletes with the best-in-industry protective gear. Made with honeycomb knitting that builds on and augments the features of a neck gaiter and mask, the fabric is elastic and shaped to perform flawlessly under consistent movement, pressure and duress. In simple words, it goes as you go, moves as you do.
Features and Benefits of NAROO honeycomb fabric
- Elastic with honeycomb knitting that improves all typical characteristics of commonly used face masks such as cycling masks, neck gaiters, balaclavas, ski masks, etc.
- Maintains elasticity under all circumstances. It stretches and morphs to adjust to each individual face.
- It is breathable, equipped with UV protection and windshield capacities, making these running masks perfect for all kinds of weather. It also prevents insects and dust from being inhaled into noses and mouths.
- In our winter masks – X9 and X5H – it serves to keep athletes warm while eliminating moisture for optimal body temperature and performance. It also warms the air before it is inhaled, preventing coughing, wheezing or lung damage due to the cold.
- It dries quickly in wet or humid conditions.
- It serves as an ideal replacement to neck gaiters.
Through sustained research and real-world upgrades, NAROO sports masks, ski balaclavas, snowboarding neck warmers, and summer masks offer high levels of protection for individuals with active lifestyles, be it in the sun, rain, snow or wind. They are an important tool in the active individual’s toolkit, essential for protection against environmental factors that can damage bodies and restrict performance.