In the hot summer sun, student-athletes risk overextending themselves to a dangerous degree. Football players in thick padding or soccer players running non-stop for 90+ minutes are some of the most susceptible victims of heat stroke, death, and all kinds of life-threatening illnesses as a result of overexposure and overexertion in the heat.
According to the National Center for Catastrophic Sport Injury Research, 67 high school athletes have died from exertional heat illness since 1982, making it the third-leading cause of sudden death in high school athletes. Moreover, in July 2024, the LA Times reported that it is to be the hottest month ever recorded in California.
"Heat-related illnesses are preventable for student-athletes, but early recognition and an action plan are key to survival."
Heat-related illnesses are preventable for student-athletes, but early recognition and an action plan are key to survival. Here are five tips to help student-athletes, their coaches, and parents stay safe under the hot sun:
- Mind the weather: Check the temperature, humidity, and heat risk forecast for the area. Consider bumping up 5°F to the temperature forecasted between 10 A.M. and 4 P.M. on sunny days from mid-May to mid-September. Also, it is best to dress appropriately based on the weather. On a hot day, athletes should wear loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing.
- Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate: Athletes, coaches, and parents should have access to water throughout practice and games. Schedule frequent water breaks in the shade with your team, especially when it's hot and humid. Athletes should drink more water than usual, even if they're not thirsty. Not only is hydrating key to staying safe, but it also makes you a better player or coach. Studies show proper hydration improves brain function, which makes you think faster and more clearly.
- Recognize signs and symptoms: Early signs of heat illness vary, but the most common are muscle cramping, dizziness, weakness, headache, nausea, and confusion. If you see someone struggling, pull them out of practice immediately and give them water or ice to cool down.
- Coaches, it's on you: While games and practices can be intense, maintaining a safe environment should be paramount. When a hot day comes, it's best to limit outdoor activity and schedule practices earlier or later when it's cooler. As the weather gets hotter, you can shorten practices and reduce the intensity. Athletes should also pace themselves, starting slowly and gradually picking up the pace.
- Create a medical response plan: All staff and students should know the signs and symptoms of heat illness, and have an emergency plan for getting medical help quickly. The severity of an athlete struggling with heat illness is unpredictable. Life-threatening heat illness can happen quickly over a few minutes or gradually over several hours or days. That's why it's best to ensure all staff have the right tools to identify and treat heat illness. Consider adopting an onsite thermometer, heat stress monitor, and cold immersion tub to treat symptoms immediately.
There are thousands of coaches in the United States, each with a responsibility to make sure their student-athletes are safe when they play. At Keenan, we collaborate with several subject matter experts in school districts, providing valuable insight and key solutions on best strategies to avoid a preventable tragedy like a student dying due to hot weather. Seeking education on this subject and following these simple guidelines we listed above is a surefire way coaches can keep their student-athletes cool, hydrated, and safe from exertional heat illness.
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