With the coming of August, it's time for scholastic athletes who will begin practice for the fall season sports to begin a concentrated conditioning program so they will be prepared for the rigors of practicing in the heat that is sure to be here.

Practice for the public schools gets under way on Aug. 15, while the private and parochial schools are likely to be working out even sooner.

Athletes and coaches should be thinking about the need to begin hydrating themselves by drinking about eight, eight-ounce glasses of water beginning a week to 10 days prior to the start of practice sessions in order to avoid heat-related...