What is hyperthermia?

What are the consequences of swimming in too hot water?

Some aquatic therapies are practiced in very hot water. Yes, but in this context, they are under the control of a professional, the activity is of short duration and strongly supervised, no risk of thermal shocks or hyperthermia. Which is not the case in everyday life. What is hyperthermia? What are the symptoms? What are the steps to take to help a person in hyperthermia?

What is hyperthermia?

Hyperthermia is the excessive increase in body temperature (40°C) due to the accumulation of environmental heat.

This can occur when one decides to do a swimming training or when doing an intense and long physical activity (elliptical trainer or treadmill) or even when playing ball in the pool when the water is at 32°C under a blazing sun .

Not only for sports training, the water of a pool that is too hot provides unpleasant sensations, but it can lead to overheating and fatigue of the swimmer.

If one plays or practices a sports activity when the water is above 32°C, you must be vigilant as to the rise in body temperature. Indeed, physical effort will increase the body temperature. The body, through perspiration, tries to cool itself. As the water is at a high temperature, it will not help lower body temperature but will maintain it. The body to defend itself will react to this accumulation of heat.

What are the symptoms of hyperthermia?

Hyperthermia first results in a rise in body temperature, which has the effect of increasing perspiration and accelerating dehydration. Excessive sweating can lead to an electrolyte imbalance (simultaneous loss of water and sodium) which can cause extreme fatigue, lead to heat cramps and impair muscle mobility.

Other Effects of a high temperature, linked to hyperthermia, neurological disorders may appear, such as confusion, headaches, convulsions...

This is followed by a whole series of side effects such as dizziness, nausea, vomiting, dehydration, tachycardia.

Hyperthermia is not to be taken lightly, it exposes the body to serious consequences and severe repercussions, which is why taking medical treatment is essential.

How to react to hyperthermia?

When you are confronted with a person who is visibly suffering from hyperthermia, you must absolutely try to cool your body, put it in the shade or in an air-conditioned room, apply damp and cold cloths, ice packs are the welcome. The fan is a good tool to lower the temperature.

Beware of a bath that is too cold, which may also cause thermal shock.

To avoid hyperthermia, preventive solutions can be set up, drink plenty of water, without moderation, before, during and after the effort, avoid exposure to hot weather and if there must be intense physical effort, progressive training is the best solution .


Swimming, playing or lounging in the pool is nothing more pleasant, provided that the water temperature is adapted to that of the human body. Neither too cold nor too hot. In truth, water between 26 and 29°C is ideal for enjoying the benefits of a pool.

Thermal shocks can happen anytime and to anyone. It is important to know them in order to be able to react in the best way when they arise. So find out here what is hydrocution and what is hypothermia.