Sports Injuries: Heat Illnesses
Heat illnesses occur when your young athlete is exposed to extremely high temperatures and humidity, and their body is unable to cool down.
April 3, 2024
Sports Injuries: Heat Illnesses
Heat illnesses occur when your young athlete is exposed to extremely high temperatures and humidity, and their body is unable to cool down. Types of heat illness can range in severity, from mild cramps to life-threatening heat stroke.
Heat Illness Prevention
Heat illnesses are 100% preventable. Make sure that your young athlete:
Gets a pre-participation exam to identify their risk for heat illness
Talks to their physician to see if any medications they take put them at a higher risk for heat illness
Wears clothing that is lightweight, light-colored, and loose-fitting during activity in the heat
Avoids sunburn
Drinks plenty of fluids and stays hydrated throughout the day
Gives their body time to adjust to the heat
Avoids the heat during off-days or off-times
Heat illnesses occur when your young athlete is exposed to extremely high temperatures and humidity, and their body is unable to cool down. Types of heat illness can range in severity, from mild cramps to life-threatening heat stroke.
Other ways to protect young athletes include:
Providing education for young athletes about heat illness
Monitoring weight loss via weight charts, to record pre- and post-practice weight: If there is more than a 3% weight loss prior to the next exercise session, avoid activity in the heat
Planning rest breaks ahead of time, and modifying the work to rest ratio based on the heat
Providing a cooling station during activities in a high heat and high humidity environment
