Heat
illness is inherent to physical activity and its incidence increases with
rising ambient temperature and relative humidity. Athletes who begin training
in the late summer (eg, football, soccer, and cross-country athletes)
experience exertional heat-related illness more often than athletes who begin
training during the winter and spring.
illness is inherent to physical activity and its incidence increases with
rising ambient temperature and relative humidity. Athletes who begin training
in the late summer (eg, football, soccer, and cross-country athletes)
experience exertional heat-related illness more often than athletes who begin
training during the winter and spring.
The
traditional classification of heat illness defines 3 categories: heat cramps,
heat exhaustion, and heat stroke. Heat illness is more likely in hot, humid weather
but can occur in the absence of hot and humid conditions.
traditional classification of heat illness defines 3 categories: heat cramps,
heat exhaustion, and heat stroke. Heat illness is more likely in hot, humid weather
but can occur in the absence of hot and humid conditions.
Some of the
signs and symptoms for heat illness are below:
signs and symptoms for heat illness are below:
Dehydration
Thirst
Sweating
Transient
muscle cramps
muscle cramps
Fatigue
Tunnel vision
Pale or
sweaty skin
sweaty skin
Decreased
pulse rate
pulse rate
Dizziness
Lightheadedness
Fainting
Vomiting
Diarrhea
The
following are ways to prevent heat illness:
1. Ensure
that appropriate medical care is available and that
that appropriate medical care is available and that
rescue
personnel are familiar with exertional heat illness prevention,
personnel are familiar with exertional heat illness prevention,
recognition,
and treatment
and treatment
2. Conduct a
thorough, physician-supervised, pre-participation
thorough, physician-supervised, pre-participation
medical
screening before the season starts to identify athletes
screening before the season starts to identify athletes
predisposed
to heat illness.
to heat illness.
3. Adapt
athletes to exercise in the heat (acclimatization)
athletes to exercise in the heat (acclimatization)
gradually
over 10 to 14 days.
over 10 to 14 days.
4. Educate
athletes and coaches regarding the prevention,
athletes and coaches regarding the prevention,
recognition,
and treatment of heat.
and treatment of heat.
5. Educate
athletes to match fluid intake with sweat and
athletes to match fluid intake with sweat and
urine losses
to maintain adequate hydration.
to maintain adequate hydration.
To learn
more about heat illness go to: http://www.nata.org/sites/default/files/ExternalHeatIllnesses.pdf, and read
the National Athletic Trainers’
Association Position Statement on exertional heat illness.
more about heat illness go to: http://www.nata.org/sites/default/files/ExternalHeatIllnesses.pdf, and read
the National Athletic Trainers’
Association Position Statement on exertional heat illness.
