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As students return to school for practices and play in games in August and September, there are growing concerns about the detrimental effects of heat, especially on the younger athletes.
Dr. Anikar Chhabra, a sports medicine orthopedic surgeon at the Mayo Clinic, highlights the severe and sometimes life-threatening risks of heat-related ailments like heat cramps, exhaustion, and heat stroke. "These illnesses, if not treated appropriately, can lead to catastrophic dangers."
Athletic Trainers are working hard to mitigate these risks and many will recommend:
- Scheduling activities during cooler times of the day.
- Prioritizing hydration and replenishing with electrolytes.
- Providing shaded and cooling areas during practice sessions.
- Progressing slowly during practice, allowing acclimatization.
- Educating everyone on recognizing symptoms of heat-related illnesses such as:
- Disorientation
- Dizziness
- Weakness
- Unusual behavior
- Headaches
- Vomiting
Dr. Chhabra emphasizes the need for athletes to not only be vigilant for their symptoms but to also monitor their peers for signs of heat-related issues.
We wanted to pass along his recommendations to Athletic Trainers, along with the suggested symptoms, so that you can have an additional resource to share with students, parents, coaches and all the stakeholders involved in youth sports.
Check out this article on Wet-Bulb Globe Temperature thermometers!
