With temperatures set to soar across the UK this week, many Brits are planning to head outside to enjoy the sunshine.
But if you’re planning to spend time outdoors, a new study may encourage you to grab a hat.
Researchers from the University of Copenhagen have warned that spending time in the sun without a hat could damage your brain function.
Professor Lars Nybo, who led the study, said: “We provide evidence that direct exposure to sunlight - especially to the head - impairs motor and cognitive performance.
“Adding to this, the decline in motor and cognitive performance was observed at 38.5 degrees, which is a 1 degree lower body temperature than previous studies have shown, which is a substantial difference."
In the study, eight healthy, active males, aged 27-41 completed motor-cognitive tests while lamps were positioned on various parts of their bodies.
The tests revealed that the men performed worst when the lamps were positioned to radiate on the back, sides and top of their heads.
This indicates that spending time in the sun without protection could impair your brain function.
According to the researchers, the findings have implications for people who work in construction, transport and agriculture.
Dr Andreas Flouris, an author of the study, said: “Health and performance impairments provoked by thermal stress are societal challenges intensifying with global warming and that is a prolonged problem we must try to mitigate.
“But we must also adapt solution to prevent the current negative effects when e.g. workers are exposed and this study emphasize that it is of great importance that people working or undertaking daily activities outside should protect their head against sunlight.
“The ability to maintain concentration and avoid attenuation of motor-cognitive performance is certainly of relevance for work and traffic safety as well as for minimizing the risks of making mistakes during other daily tasks.”
