Heat danger on the playing field
Recently, I was the covering physician of a national tennis tournament in Florida with athletes from across the country competing. Many athletes who were not acclimated to Florida’s hot, humid weather and had trouble dealing with the heat and experienced various degrees of heat illness like heat cramps and heat exhaustion. Had these athletes known the easy techniques to prevent heat illness, their tournament could have been more successful and safer.
Treating these athletes made me reflect on the dangers that lie ahead: July was the hottest month on Earth in recorded history, and with the recent heat and humidity, the end of summer promises more of the same. As the new school year progresses and competitive sports begin, it is essential that parents, coaches, medical staff, and young athletes recognize the warning signs of heat-related illness, how to treat it and, most importantly, how to prevent its catastrophic impact.
Heat stroke — the most severe form of heat illness — is a leading cause of sudden death in youth sports, so the ability to quickly recognize the early symptoms of heat stress can be lifesaving. Heat stroke occurs when body temperature rises above 105 degrees and is characterized by confusion, dizziness or even a loss of consciousness. Symptoms leading up to heat stroke can include cramping, fainting, increased fatigue, decreased performance, and vomiting. All parents, coaches, medical staff, and athletes should be trained every year on these signs and symptoms.
Once the signs of heat stress are recognized, parents and coaches must act quickly to manage the short- and long-term consequences. The athlete should immediately be removed from the field of play and given a drink of cold water while cooling down with ice bags or a cold shower. Young athletes themselves have a role in knowing the signs of heat stress and alerting coaches and medical staff. Seventy-five percent of heat-related visits to Emergency Departments result from athletic activity, so early intervention is crucial.
Many variables affect heat stress and here are some basics for prevention:
■ Increase the duration and intensity of activity gradually. Slowly increase time and exertion over 10-14 days to help athletes adapt to the heat. It is important to consider the cumulative effects of heat exposure after consecutive days without relief.
■ Hydrate! Hydrate! Hydrate! With higher temperature and humidity, frequent water breaks must be allowed to cool the body. Ice water should be available to help internally cool the body and decrease heat stress.
■ Limit direct sun exposure during exercise. Practicing before 10 a.m. and after 5 p.m. decreases the amount of direct sun on players. Providing shaded areas for water breaks during peak sunlight hours is essential.
■ Fans can improve air flow to help the body cool through sweating and evaporation. When available, air-conditioning decreases cumulative heat exposure and risk of heat stress.
■ Wear light-colored, moisture-wicking clothing to decrease the amount of heat absorbed by the body.
These simple techniques allow our athletes to practice and play safely. Parents, coaches and medical staff must increase their vigilance and perhaps most importantly, they must also make sure that athletes feel free to speak up when they are experiencing any of these symptoms. It is, after all, potentially a matter of life and death.