Heat Related Conditions Environmental Concerns Sports Medicine I

Environmental Conditions Three basic environment conditions Three basic environment conditions –Heat –Cold –Altitude

Heat Related Conditions (Hyperthermia) High temps and high humidity can negatively impact High temps and high humidity can negatively impact –Athletic performance –Adversely affect health –Threaten life A plan must be in place prior to any season A plan must be in place prior to any season Must address issues of the environment Must address issues of the environment

Hyperthermia Exercise generates heat that must dissipate Exercise generates heat that must dissipate If body retains too much heat, victim can die If body retains too much heat, victim can die Body cools itself through sweating mechanism Body cools itself through sweating mechanism Heat is carried away from body through evaporation of perspiration Heat is carried away from body through evaporation of perspiration

Sweating Mechanism Cooling process can be interrupted in two ways Cooling process can be interrupted in two ways –Humidity so high that sweat doesn’t evaporate –Thermoregulatory system disrupted which means sweating ceases

How to Prevent Heat Related Problems? Prehydration and Rehydration Prehydration and Rehydration Acclimatization Acclimatization Preparticipation Physical Examination Preparticipation Physical Examination Wear proper clothing Wear proper clothing Use weight charts Use weight charts Monitor environmental conditions Monitor environmental conditions Salt tablets Salt tablets Be prepared to give first aid Be prepared to give first aid Adequate rest Adequate rest Diets high in electrolytes Diets high in electrolytes Awareness of on-going illnesses and/or conditions Awareness of on-going illnesses and/or conditions

Prehydration and Rehydration Fluid loss of 3% of total body weight can adversely affect performance Fluid loss of 3% of total body weight can adversely affect performance Can initiate heat illness Can initiate heat illness Need to drink fluids before, during, & after athletic events Need to drink fluids before, during, & after athletic events

Prehydration and Rehydration How to replace fluids? How to replace fluids? –34oz. Two hours before activity –13-17oz. 15 min before activity –13-17oz. Every 30 min during activity Do not deny an athlete water or rest at any time!!! Do not deny an athlete water or rest at any time!!! Dehydration: the process of water loss by the body Dehydration: the process of water loss by the body

Acclimatization The process of getting the body use to the weather conditions for sport The process of getting the body use to the weather conditions for sport Typically takes 14 days to fully acclimate Typically takes 14 days to fully acclimate Gradually increase activity Gradually increase activity

Pre-Participation Physicals Should be asked about previous occurrence of heat illness problems Should be asked about previous occurrence of heat illness problems Identify susceptible individuals Identify susceptible individuals Monitor all athletes Monitor all athletes

Wear Proper Clothing Light, loose fitting clothing Light, loose fitting clothing Allows air to move over body Allows air to move over body Clothing that binds, traps heat Clothing that binds, traps heat Helmets should be off during breaks Helmets should be off during breaks No rubberized clothing No rubberized clothing

Weight Charts Weigh before and after practice Weigh before and after practice Athletes must regain lost water Athletes must regain lost water Significant fluid loss (3%) can not participate next day if not replaced Significant fluid loss (3%) can not participate next day if not replaced

Monitor Weather Conditions Monitor conditions Monitor conditions High temps and humidity affects ability to regulate body temperature High temps and humidity affects ability to regulate body temperature Limit intensity of practice during high heat stress days Limit intensity of practice during high heat stress days

Salt Tablets Amount of water needed to balance salt intake is much more than the athlete can comfortably drink Amount of water needed to balance salt intake is much more than the athlete can comfortably drink Increase salt during meals Increase salt during meals Fluids are more important than salt in avoiding heat problems Fluids are more important than salt in avoiding heat problems

Other Important Issues Be prepared to give first aid Be prepared to give first aid –Know signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke Adequate rest Adequate rest –Have adequate periods of rest between sessions Diets with high electrolytes Diets with high electrolytes –Must replace sodium Awareness of conditions Awareness of conditions –Monitor all individuals –Keep close eye on those at high risk

MSNBC Video: Heat Exhaustion and Student Athletes /vp/ # /vp/ # /vp/ # /vp/ #