I DIDN’T KNOW IT COULD GET THIS HOT IN TEXAS!

THE PREVENTION AND RECOGNITION OF HEAT

ILLNESSES

WHAT ARE HEAT ILLNESSES?

• Heat illnesses are sicknesses caused by overexposure to the sun

• There are six types of heat illnesses that we will discuss today

Heat RashFainting due to heatHeat CrampsDehydrationHeat ExhaustionHeat Stroke

How Does the Body Lose or Gain Heat?

• The body loses or gains heat in the following ways:

• Metabolic heat production – the production and radiation of heat from the body

• Conductive heat exchange – physical contact with other objects (turf)

• Connective heat exchange – depends on the temperature of the circulating medium (cool breeze, humidity)

• Radiant heat exchange – heat from the sun• Evaporative heat loss – sweating (most common

in athletes)

Heat Rash/Fainting

• Heat Rash

- A.K.A. prickley heat- associated with a red, raised rash accompanied by sensations of prickling and tingling during sweating- Localized to areas covered by clothes-toweling off can prevent the rash

• Heat Related Fainting

- associated with rapid physical fatigue during overexposure to heat- usually caused by standing in the heat for long periods of time or not being use to the heat- If someone collapses, lay them in a cool environment and replace with fulids.

DEHYDRATION

• Dehydration is the beginning signs of serious complications that can occur due to the heat.

• Characterized by thirst, irritability, headache, weakness, dizziness, cramps, nausea, fatigue, and decreased performance.

• Allowing athlete cool water and a shaded area will help their bodies to “re-adjust”

Heat Cramps• Extremely painful muscle

spams (usually in the stomach and calf)

• Occurs due to the excessive loss of water and several electrolytes or ions neeed by the body

• Prevented by adequate replacement of sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, and water (fos free)

• Immediate treatment is fulid replacement along with ice and stretching.

HEAT EXHAUSTION

• Results from inadequate replacement of fluids lost through sweating

• Signs/Symptoms include:- profuse sweating- pale and cool/clammy skin- dizziness- headache- nausea- body temperature at or slightly below normal- might develop heat cramps first or appear disoriented and light headed

• Immediate treatment requires drinking water (in some cases, and IV may need to be administered) and placing the person in a cool area. Cooling down with cold towels is also helpful.

HEAT STROKE• More serious and life-threatening!• Caused by the body’s cooling system completely

shutting off or the blood volume is so low the person stops sweating and goes into shock.

• Signs/Symptoms include:- Flushed, hot, dry skin- Little or no sweating- Shallow breathing- Rapid, Strong Pulse- increased body temperature- Disorientation or unconsciousness

• Treatment required immediate cooling of athlete. Get in a cool area, remove clothing, sponge with cold water. Transport the athlete to the hospital ASAP!!!!

HIGH QUALITY H2O

• Water is one of the three prime necessities of life

- it assists with the transportation of food

- aids in the elimination of waste products

- assists in the control of body

temperature!

WATER FACTS• Percentages of water in the body:

Bones – ¼ water (structural support)

Muscles – ¾ water (driving force)

Brain – 76% water (steer limbs)

Lungs – 90% water (provides O2)

MORE WATER FACTS• Average person = 10 Cups per day• Water losses during exercise

- light exercise: ½ gallon loss of water per day- heavy training: over 2 gallons per day- water shortage leads to over- heating, disruption of chemical balances, and dehydration

ELECTROLYTESWhat are those?!?!?!

• Electrolytes are ions (sodium, chloride, potassium, magnesium, and calcium) that help prevent muscle cramping and help the body build a tolerance to heat.

• Can be found in sports drinks, but athletes should ingest more water than relying on such drinks

• Also, multi-vitamins such as Fos Free can be used.• It is important to keep a balance of electrolytes in your body,

because they affect the amount of water in your body, blood acidity (pH), muscle action, and other important processes. You lose electrolytes when you sweat, and you must replace them by drinking fluids

HOW CAN WE HELP PREVENT HEAT ILLNESSES?

• Fluid and electrolyte replacement- drink small amounts of water frequently

• Gradual acclimatization- getting use to the heat slowly—short period first then increase

• Identify persons prone to heat illnesses- usually those with large muscle mass (linemen)

• Uniforms (athletics)- initial practices conducted in shorts, t-shirt, and socks- uniforms should be selected on the basis of temperature and humidity

• Weight Records- should weigh athletes before and after practice for the first 2 weeks

• Temperature and Humidity Readings- dry and wet bulb readings taken before practice- if high, coaches should modify practices or activity

NATIONAL ATHLETIC TRAINER’S

ASSOCIATION AND AFCA’S H.E.A.T PROGRAM

• H.E.A.T. = Helping Educate Athlete’s in Training (2002)

• Includes tips and guidelines for heat illness prevention

• Also reinforces the NATA Fluid Replacement Position Statement

Heat illnesses have been a “heated” topic for the past several years—can anyone remember hearing or seeing anything about heat related incidents in the past?http://static.espn.go.com/nfl/news/2001/0731/1233494.html

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NATA AND AFCATIPS AND GUIDELINES

• Encourage athletes to begin conditioning before two-a-days

• Avoid workouts on unusually hot days

• Make fluids a part of the routine

• Use the shade during breaks

• BE PREPARED!!!!

NATA and Inter-Association Task Force for Secondary School Athletics

Preseason Heat-Acclimatization Guidelines for

Secondary School Athletics2009

Subject: Leading national organizations have released an inter-association task force consensus statement on

“Preseason Heat-Acclimatization Guidelines for Secondary School Athletics.”

Purpose: To work toward the elimination of heat-related athletic illnesses and deaths in secondary schools.

Conclusions: The consensus statement lists seven key recommendations for a 14-day heat-acclimatization period prior

To full-scale athletic participation by secondary school students, as follows:

During the first five days of the heat-acclimatization process, athletes may not participate in more than one practice per day.

If a practice is interrupted by inclement weather or heat restrictions, the practice should recommence once conditions are

Deemed safe, but total practice time should not exceed three hours per day.

A one-hour maximum walk-through is permitted during the first five days of the heat-acclimatization period; however, a three-hour

recovery period should be inserted between the practice and walk-through (or vice versa).

During the first two days of the heat-acclimatization period, in sports requiring helmets or shoulder pads, a helmet should be the

Only protective equipment permitted (goalies, as in the case of field hockey and related sports, should not wear full protective

gear or perform activities that would require protective equipment). During days three through five, only helmets and shoulder

pads should be worn. Beginning on day six, all protective equipment may be worn and full contact may begin.

Beginning no earlier than the sixth day and continuing through the 14th day, double-practice days must be followed by a single

Practice day. On single-practice days, one walk-through is permitted, but it must be separated from the practice by at least three

hours of continuous rest. When a double-practice day is followed by a rest day, another double-practice day is permitted after the

rest day.

On a double-practice day, neither practice’s duration should exceed three hours total, and student-athletes should not participate

In more than five total hours of practice. Warm-up, stretching, cool-down, walkthrough, conditioning and weight-room activities

Are included as part of the practice time. The two practices should be separated by at least three continuous hours in a cool

environment.

Because the risk of exertional heat illnesses during the pre-season heat-acclimatization period is high, the consensus statement

strongly recommends that an athletic trainer be on site before, during and after all practices.

TIPS AND GUIDELINES:STAYING HEALTHY

• Minimize the stresses of life

• Eat a well-balanced diet

• Sleep Well

• Avoid over training or rapid weight loss

- 1-2 lbs a week is recommended

• Get a flu shot

TIPS AND GUIDELINES:STAYING HYDRATED

• Drink water throughout the day• Drink at least 17 to 20 oz of fluid 2-3

hours before practice or games.• Drink an additional 7-10 oz 10-20

minutes before a competition• Drink 7-10 oz every 15 minutes• Drink 20 oz per pound lost 2 hours after

practices/competitions

CONCLUSION• Over exposure to heat can be very

dangerous!• Know how to prevent heat illnesses and how

to recognize the signs and symptoms• Fluid replacement and cooling down are the

key!• Signs and symptoms may not always be

obvious, but if you notice anything out of the ordinary, notify the staff athletic trainer or coach immediately and help with safety precautions

• http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/32550447#32550447