1. Exertional Heat Illness
Jason Kinner
Biostats 640
Individual Project

2. Risk Factors Environment Age Dehydration Pre Activity Hydration
High Body Fat
Poor Acclimation/Fitness Level
Medications
Other Illness

3. Symptoms Muscle spasms/cramps Heavy or profuse sweating
Skin Flushed or Pale
Headache
Dizziness
Rapid pulse, nausea, weakness
Disoriented
Elevated core temperature
Cessation of sweating
Red, Dry Skin
Shallow breathing and rapid pulse
Loss of consciousness

4. Hypothesis
Exertional Heat Illness is directly related to extreme heat and poor physical conditioning.

5. Analysis of Statistics
150 case of illness were reported as suffering from heat illness.
According to the statistics 82 cases were identified as exertional heat illness.

6. Cont’d
More than 50% of the cases occurred during the first 7-14 days of practice.
Most cases occurred during the summer season, but 30% of the cases occurred during the spring.
Exertional Heat Illness was not directly related to the time of day.

7. Cont’d
Many cases occurred during the night or early morning, even under mild heat.
40% of the cases occurred during very short activities
60% occurred during the first 2 hours of activity.

8. Conclusion
The hypothesis here was found to be false based on the statistics presented by “Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise”. The statistics showed that excess body fat contributed directly to heat illness, but there was not sufficient evidence to prove that heat illness was directly related to extreme heat.

9. Prevention Measures Hydration should be closely monitored
Heat Index should be closely monitored
Athletes should be introduced to heat through an acclimation period
Coaches and Athletic trainers should be appropriately trained to deal with heat illness

10. Treatment of Heat Illness
Submersion in a cool water tub with cool towels placed on the head and neck has been proven to be the most effective method of increasing the mortality rate amongst individuals suffering from heat illness.