Ultimate Guide to Sun Protection for Cyclists and Runners Outdoors people are a different breed. There isn’t much that deters us from going out, training, and working hard. We don’t shy away from training simply because the weather is too hot or because the sun is too bright. Dedication keeps us going, no matter the cost. Training at high temperatures under the blazing sun is common for athletes in many parts of the world. However, without the right protective gear, they stand the risk of developing multiple health issues due to the heat and UV rays. What risks are associated with sun exposure? Sun exposure can cause more than a sunburn. It can result in a number of skin-related diseases and issues that are very easily prevented. According to research the sun’s UV radiation carries potentially harmful UV-A (longer wave) and UV-B (shorter wave) radiation. If overexposed to these rays, athletes may suffer accelerated aging, irreversible skin damage and multiple skin cancers. UV-B rays, usually most intense in spring and summer, cause tanning and skin burns, both of which can cause damaged skin cells and a higher risk of cancer. According to the Mayo Clinic, exercising in hot weather stresses the body and can cause: Heat cramps: Painful muscle contractions that often show up during exercise, accompanied by spasms and unnatural muscle firmness. Heat syncope and exercise-associated collapse: Nausea, lightheadedness and fainting occurring in high temperatures. Heat exhaustion: When body temperature becomes unnaturally high, it can lead to vomiting, nausea, fainting, weakness, and more. Heatstroke: A life threatening condition in which body temperature is higher than 40 degrees celsius. How can outdoor lovers protect themselves from the sun? Simply put, cover up. Athletes need to wear a face mask or face cover that guards their faces and necks from extreme exposure to UV rays They also need to wear sunscreen consistently, hydrate at regular intervals, and be mindful of how their bodies are responding or reacting to the immediate environment. How to do that during hot weather training?Start Early. It is best to workout and train as early in the day as possible, as it helps avoid the strongest and most harmful temperatures during the day.Carrie McCusker, a level 2 TrainingPeaks coach and a lifelong athlete, advises athletes to avoid the sun during its peak hours.She writes in her blog – “It is never too early or too late to start protecting your skin. Don’t be lulled into complacency by youth or less-sunny climes.”Hence, as far as possible, train early in the morning or after the sun goes down. A brisk morning workout sets the perfect tone for an active day. On the other hand, evening workouts are excellent for unwinding after a sedentary day. To be on the safe side, check the UV index before stepping out for exercise. Sun protection is required when UV levels are 3 or higher. Liberally Apply SunscreenFew things are as painful and annoying as sunburns. They will disrupt workout schedules and can leave you inactive for days. To prevent this, generously apply a water resistant SPF 50+ sunscreen onto clean, dry skin at least 15 minutes (or more) before stepping out. Carry the sunscreen with you and strictly reapply every couple of hours if you aren’t back inside yet. View this post on Instagram A post shared by NAROO MASK | Official (@naroomask_global) Replenish ElectrolytesIf you’re venturing on moderate exercise for about 60 minutes, make sure to keep drinking water throughout. Don’t leave home without drinking at least 16 ounces of water. As per Kate Lemere, a fitness trainer and writer in the city of Chicago, one should “plan to spend 20% of your work day in the bathroom. If you have a large water bottle with you you’ll be more inclined to drink it, so buy a water bottle that is 40+ ounces so you don’t have to refill as often and make a goal to drink 3-4 of them throughout the day.” In case your workout is high-intensity and/or lasting more than an hour, switch to sports drinks with electrolytes (sodium, chloride and potassium). The human body needs these minerals to make up for fluids lost through sweating, and keep itself going without collapsing or being harmed. Gear Up with Protective Clothing“How can I protect my face from the sun naturally?” Pick out and wear workout clothes that have UV protection and material designed for easy movement. Rebecca Louise, a global fitness NASM Certified Trainer, correctly says, “As the temperature changes, our clothing needs to change too. In this case, we want them to be light and breathable. The more clothing that you put on, the more energy you drain!”We agree – lighter clothing is better for sun protection. Consider wearing clothes made up of sweat wicking material like – dry fit, nylon or polyester nylon blend – material that keeps the body cool. Wear a hat and sunglasses. The sun’s rays often reflect off surfaces like roads, sidewalks, sand and snow and hit the face, blasting it with harmful UV radiation. What Can You Do About Sun Exposure? Let’s be honest. Professional athletes can’t be running around with inconvenient hats and sunglasses that may fall off at the slightest provocation (what if you ran too fast or jumped too high?) They need something designed to give them guaranteed protection, no matter how hot it gets. Enter the expert. EX-SHADER: Designed for Outdoors People who Train in the Sun View this post on Instagram A post shared by NAROO MASK | Official (@naroomask_global) Specific benefits of the EX-SHADER:Structured in a way that provides ventilation and comfort in high heat.Built so that the wearer can breathe easily even when performing strenuous physical activity.Manufactured from proprietary NAROO Mesh Fabric that provides 92% sun protection.Dries quickly, even in hot, humid environments.Reduces chances of skin ailments and associated illnesses caused by heat and sun exposure.Easy to wash, clean, and maintain between uses.NAROO’s breathable sports masks have been inspected and certified by a number of prestigious verification bodies. Each line offers a unique
NAROO Breathing Technology: Easy-breathing Face Covers Backed by Research Breathing is the heart of athletic activity. However, the air we breathe isn’t always what we need to power our activity. Athletes worldwide struggle with environmental issues that actually limit their ability to breath well and perform well, which include cold weather, pollution, pollen, UV rays, microbes, dust, and more. These issues can actually make lungs unable to process air and oxygen at their full capacity, thereby diminishing performance. In order to help athletes overcome their environments, we at NAROO have been researching breathing for the past 2 decades in order to be sure the air that athletes breathe isn’t preventing them from doing their best. Based on proven, tested technology, we provide innovative breathing solutions to protect athletes everywhere. Because we are also lifelong outdoors people, we make it a priority to talk with athletes and research their needs. Our years of exploration have led us to many technological innovations that help athletes tackle the heat, the cold, and particulates in the air. We constantly seek to answer important questions with technology-based answers. FILTERING TECHNOLOGY: MICRONET™ What is a filtering face mask? A mask that helps to filter out particulates in the air so that they are not inhaled can be considered a filtering face mask. These can come with replaceable filters or without. And how can filtering masks help? At NAROO, we have created a filterless series that not only filters dust, pollen, pollution, and other particles as small as 1.7μm (40x smaller than a human hair), but that is reusable and washable so that it can protect airways over and over again. NAROO MICRONET™ Benefits: Breathable during exercise Washable and reusable over 100 times No replacement filter needed, the special fabric and knit are the filter Filters pollen, dust and other particles as small as 1.7μm (40x smaller than a human hair) Moisture-wicking and quick-dry in wet or conditions But is a filtering mask necessary? Will a mask help with pollen, pollution, and dust? According to the American Lung Association, the air people breathe continues to be unhealthy due to issues like pollution, pollen, and dust. The same holds true for a significant portion of Europe’s population where ozone and other particulate matter pose serious health risks. When focusing on athletes, especially on marathon runners and cyclists training near highways and cities, the British Journal of Sports Medicine reports that immediate effects from pollutants can deplete oxygen to tissues, increase heart rate and blood pressure, and make asthma, pulmonary hypertension and cardiovascular disease potential long-term consequences. A viable solution for these serious pollution and dust effects is an effective filtering face mask like those of the NAROO F-Series. These are made for athletes and their increased respiration rates, outdoor exposure, increased sweating, exposure to heat and cold, and of course, to irritating particulates that can deteriorate performance and health. These masks can filter particles as small as 1.7μm, preventing most harmful particulates from the lungs, allowing for exercise in polluted climes and maximized performance. Table of Contents Is exercising with a mask dangerous? “Researchers at McMaster University in Canada…found no concerning signs of hypoxia, or reduced blood oxygen.” NAROO masks are developed for sports people and their increased need for oxygen intake, and allow for easy-breathing along with top-notch filtering capabilities. It is important to wash and clean the masks between each use to clear away particulates and reset the filter for maximum functioning and easy-breathing. No matter an athletes need, whether running with allergy, or a balaclava with a filter, or pollen season allergies, wearing a mask is a helpful solution to deal with environmental struggles. ANTIMICROBIAL TECHNOLOGY: COPPER YARN What is copper-infused fabric? Shifting from technology specifically designed to tackle hot weather issues to copper-infused yarn and fabric, research proves that the unique antimicrobial properties make it the perfect material for filtering and particulate protection. NAROO weaves copper yarn into the F.U Plus Copper mask, using technology that has been trusted for centuries all over the world. Copper surfaces can kill germs on contact. This process prevents the copper from breaking off and makes the fabric reusable and dependable. Although the origins of copper fabric aren’t known, its benefits are well-documented. Copper-infused yarn can kill many bacteria, fungi, and viruses upon contact, helping to eliminate any of these that linger on the body. Those bacteria can also cause unpleasant odors during exercise that copper-infused yarn can help to eliminate. What makes the copper so powerful is that it is ionically bonded to the yarn, which means the copper will not flake into particles that can be inhaled and will remain strong over time. Is copper better than silver? Why choose copper over silver? Both metals can kill bacteria, so why did NAROO choose copper for its technological developments and high-tech face coverings? Silver requires moisture in order to effectively kill bacteria – copper is antimicrobial in wet and dry environments, making it more versatile and better able to serve athletes’ needs. What does copper yarn in the F.U Plus Copper help me? Not only does the F.U Plus Copper take the utmost advantage of copper’s antimicrobial properties, but it relies on the breathability of the knitted fabric, its moisture-wicking properties, and its functionality in hot and cold weather to create a comfortable, effective face covering for athletes in need of a filtering, antimicrobial mask. Copper is also great when used in fabric as it helps care for your skin by helping to reduce wrinkles, fine lines, thinning skin and other signs of ageing. It can also be helpful for dry or itchy skin. Paired with the breathability of the mask, the F.U Plus Copper is a multifunctional breathing solution for athletes all over the world across many different environments. NAROO F.U. Plus Copper Benefits: Breathable during exercise Antimicrobial copper yarn tested to kill microbes Washable and reusable over 100 times Copper is deodorizing and good for the skin Moisture-wicking and quick-dry in wet conditions 3D AIR-WARMING CHAMBER TECHNOLOGY: EX-BONE Why is breathing cold air in winter dangerous? It is common knowledge that