The Tokyo Olympics marathon and racewalking was changed to Sapporo as a countermeasure against the heat, but the Tokyo Paralympics track will be held in Tokyo, including a marathon run by wheelchairs and visually impaired athletes.news world ahmed
On August 28th to September 6th, when the land runs, there are days when the highest temperature in the city exceeds 35 degrees Celsius, and measures against heat are indispensable. The tournament is held as an opportunity to test various measures for next year.news world ahmed
Specifically, representatives from the national team will measure the temperature at the stadium every hour every day during the tournament and give detailed instructions such as hydration and wearing a hat.
In addition, a nutritionist who specializes in heat countermeasures conducts urine tests of athletes every morning to check for signs of dehydration and encourage water intake depending on the athlete's condition. .
In addition, in order to suppress the rise in body temperature after the competition, we brought “Ice Bath” with water of around 15 degrees into a simple bathtub inflated with air and “Ice Vest” with a cooling agent from Japan to test the effect. It is.
“I think Tokyo Paralympics will be a harsher environment than this time because the humidity is high, so I think that a country that has done enough heat countermeasures will win.” I would like to take all the possible measures so that the players can do their best and win as many medals as possible. "
The effects of the heat More serious than the Olympics
Para athletes are said to be more susceptible to the effects of heat due to disabilities than Olympic athletes.
For example, wheelchair players are more affected by reflections in strong sunlight because their body position is close to the ground.
According to the Japan Para Athletics Federation, wheelchair athletes have a temperature of about 3 degrees higher than that of ordinary athletes, and after 30 minutes of practice in hot weather, the internal temperature of the body exceeds 40 degrees. There are also things.
In that case, it has been pointed out that the rhythm of wheelchairs is disturbed by the burden on the brain, which can easily lead to performance degradation.
Also, wheelchair users often feel that it is a burden to go to the bathroom, so it is customary not to get enough water, and many athletes show a tendency to dehydration.
In addition, athletes without arms or legs have limited blood circulation, so they can't get enough heat to sweat and easily get dehydrated.
Once dehydrated, it takes a few days to recover, so you need to catch signs early to deal with during the event.
Director Ibusuki of Para athletics Japan said, “In the parasports developed countries such as the UK, the United States, Australia, etc., we have been working on heat countermeasures according to obstacles for many years. I can't even take on the challenge, so I need to respond to the player's characteristics. "
Assuming Tokyo Training in severe heat
Assuming the heat at the Tokyo Paralympic Games next year, athletes from many countries are training in severe heat.
Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, where the World Championships in Para-land are held, is characterized by strong sunlight and severe heat of over 35 degrees during the day, although it is less humid than Tokyo.
Considering the heat, most competitions are held after 6pm, but qualifying and some competition finals are held in the morning.
Around noon on the 3rd day of the tournament, classes such as shot-throwing cerebral palsy are held in the stadium where the temperature exceeds 30 degrees Celsius, and the athletes drink water during the waiting time and water on their necks. I was overwhelmed.
On the track, wheelchair players from Canada and Australia trained in strong sunlight, and often went into the shade to cool their bodies.
An Australian wheelchair boy said, “It's very hot, but I think it ’s important to practice during the hot days to get used to the heat.”
A boy in a wheelchair in Canada said, “It ’s really hot, it ’s so sweaty that I ca n’t see the front. But I know that next year ’s Tokyo is also hot, so I ’m not accustomed to the body.” It was.
First introduction of ice vest to suppress body temperature rise
The representatives of the wheelchair class who participated in the Para athletics world championships ran for about 1 hour at a temperature close to 35 degrees the day before the opening, and then cooled their bodies in various ways to suppress the rise in body temperature. It was.
Among them, “Ice Best” was first introduced this time. It is easy to put on and take off with a vest with 18 cold packs on the chest, armpits, and back, so you can keep practicing while suppressing the rise in body temperature by wearing it frequently during training.
For next year, we are also considering the development of a new short vest that can be practiced while wearing.
Dr. Hiroshi Imai, a doctor who accompanies the team, said, “If the temperature inside the body rises, it tries to keep the body from getting any more heat, which leads to a decline in performance. It ’s important to stop at. ”
Athletes were also engaged in competitions by putting ice on their necks and putting their hands on the ice water between exercises to prevent temperature rise.
Masayuki Higuchi (40), who has participated in the Paralympic Games for two consecutive marathons and 5000 meters, after trying the ice vest, “Because it is easy to wear, it will be a great plus not to leave fatigue in the next competition I'm not strong against the heat, but I want to survive with the help of these tools. "
This time, Yuki Nishi (25), who participates in 100 meters and 400 meters, said, “It's easier to feel the heat because it's a lower posture than healthy people, but I want to get over it because there is a race even when it's hot.”
On the first day of the World Championship, Nishi participated in the qualifying for 100 meters and spent as much shade as possible until just before the race.
I couldn't move on to the semi-finals, but I was positive about the fact that I was able to take measures against heat before the Tokyo Paralympics.
After the race, Nishi said, “I think the Tokyo tournament is so hot and I had a very good experience. .
Test every morning to prevent dehydration
The Japanese national team on Para-land is especially trying to prevent dehydration as a heat countermeasure for the Tokyo Paralympics.
Last October, at the Asia Para Tournament held in Jakarta, Indonesia, about 10 out of 68 onshore athletes showed symptoms of heat stroke, and their results were sluggish.
Based on this lesson, during the World Championship, athletes will have a urine test every morning at the hotel where they are staying to check for signs of dehydration.
In addition, we receive advice on hydration from a dietitian who specializes in the heat countermeasures that accompany the team.
The day before the opening of the World Championship, Sakugo Shirasuna (23), who had the tip of his left arm elbow, had a tendency to dehydrate during interviews with a dietitian, and was advised to take water actively.
Some athletes found that when they were flying from Japan, they did not get enough water and found that they were close to dehydration on the first day.
Shirasago said, “Thank you for your support because it was difficult for me to tackle the heat alone, and I was unable to adjust the amount of water.
Also, nutritionist Takako Nishimura said, “There are many athletes who are not aware that they are dehydrated when they enter the tournament, so it is necessary to inform them numerically. I would like to create a mechanism that allows us to compete with confidence in this tournament and go to Tokyo. ”
