Prevention can be had by wearing rubber pants. Because a woman has fewer functional sweat glands, body temperature in the female rises 2 or 3 degrees higher than that of the male before the cooling process of perspiration becomes significant. Thus, acute heat stress is a greater concern of female athletes. However, studies show that during prolonged activity in normal or hot weather women have less change in body temperature as compared to the male. While males sweat more, females cool quicker after physical activity in hot weather.
Women appear to adjust their perspiration rate more efficiently to the required loss of heat.
This suggests that females present more efficiency in body temperature regulation and have a greater cardiovascular component of thermoregulation. Except with a poor obstetric history, there is no evidence that a normal pregnancy will be threatened by cautious exercise. Of all athletics, swimming appears to be the best physical activity for the expectant mother. On the other hand, there is evidence that physical fitness regimens during pregnancy contributes to ease of labor and postpartum light exercise assists the process of involution. Following delivery, intense competition is usually contraindicated for several months, especially if the mother is breast feeding.