AP- Staying hydrated is critical to preventing heat-related illness.
It’s August and we all know what that means. One more month until school starts. And one more month until football season begins. That means fall camps start, with two-a-day practices soon to follow.
Every year, for the last few years, there have been a handful of deaths in high-school, college, and professional football due to heat-related illnesses. Most of these tragic incidents occur early in the season for two reasons: 1) Practices usually begin at the end of summer when the weather is hotter and 2) Athletes have not acclimated to the additional heat generated by all the gear they must wear to play the sport.
In the collegiate and professional setting, athletic trainers are almost always present to help monitor the environmental conditions and the athlete’s health. But that is not always the case at the high school level when athletic budgets continue to get cut and qualified medical volunteers are limited.
Here are a few ways to recognize signs and heat stress in athletes and the need to rest, rehydrate, and maybe seek medical attention:
Heat Cramps- These are painful muscle spasms that usually occur in the calf and other muscles of the lower extremity. It is usually related to an imbalance in water and electrolytes or ions that are lost through sweating with activity. Immediate treatment is usually replenishing lost fluids and electrolytes. Mild stretching with ice massage can also be helpful.
Heat Exhaustion- Athletes exhibiting profuse sweating along with dizziness, excessive thirst, weakness, incoordination/disorientation, elevated body temperature, and a rapid pulse need immediate replenishment of fluids and a cool environment to lower their body temperature. In some cases, intravenous replacement of fluids will be necessary to restore lost body fluids.
Heat Stroke- This is a life-threatening medical emergency. In this situation, the body’s thermoregulatory system is no longer functioning and the body is no longer able to dissipate heat by sweating. These athletes may lose consciousness and collapse and their skin to touch is usually hot and dry. It is imperative to lower the body temperature of these athletes by removing clothing and sponging with cold water and to transport them so they can receive immediate medical attention.
If athletic trainers or qualified medical personnel are not available, it is important for coaches, parents, and the athletes to fully understand and recognize these signs and symptoms of heat-related illness. This will allow our athletes today to play stronger and play safer.
This is not a replacement for a thorough evaluation by a NATA certified athletic trainer or other qualified medical personnel capable of assessing heat related illness.
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