Monitoring Heat/Humidity Can Keep Athletes Safe

As Temperatures Rise Activities Need to be Adjusted

Sep 24, 2009

As heat and humidity levels rise, athletes are at an increased risk for heat illness. Adjustments can be made by coaches to reduce the risk.

The National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) has published guidelines on their website for reducing the risk of heat illness (NATA Position Statement: Exertional Heat Illness). One of the things coaches can do is to monitor the temperature and humidity levels during the day and adjust their practices according to the published guidelines.

Recommended Guidelines

According to the position statement, the most important things coaches can do includes:

Coaches can also reschedule their practice time to a cooler time of the day, move their practices indoors to an air-conditioned facility, and gradually acclimatize athletes to the heat over several days.

Heat Stress Risk Temperature and Humidity Graph

A Heat Stress Risk Temperature and Humidity Graph is published within the NATA’s position statement on Exertional Heat Illness. The graph provides a guide for coaches to follow to adjust practices and attire depending on the combination of temperature and humidity levels. Although the graph was designed for football, coaches of all sports can benefit from the guidelines.

The graph shows curvilinear and linear lines representing the stress on athletes from differing combinations of heat and humidity. If the combination of heat and humidity fall within a safe range for athletes, the graph recommends practice in full pads.

If the combination of heat and humidity increase to a moderate risk level, light pads are recommended. If the combination of heat and humidity rise to a high level, shorts only are recommended for the athletes. It the combination goes beyond a certain point, all activity is recommended to be cancelled.

The recommendations also include various rest-to-work ratios with specific time references for rest and hydration.

Pre- and Post-Practice Weigh-Ins to Monitor Fluid Loss

Mandatory pre- and post-practice weigh-ins should also be initiated when the temperature starts rising. It is an easy way for coaches to monitor their athletes for fluid loss.

According to the NATA’s position statement on Exertional Heat Illness, athletes should be weighed after practice and before practice the next day to ensure that any fluids lost during practice on the previous day have been regained prior to starting practice. The guideline suggests that athletes drink 16 ounces of fluid for each kilogram (2.2 pounds) of body water lost during exercise.

Immediate Treatment for Dehydration and Heat Illness

Any athlete showing signs of dehydration including muscle cramping (typically in the lower legs or hamstrings), fatigue, thirst, excessive sweating should stop activity and begin the replacement of fluids in a cool environment (shady area or air-conditioned room if possible).

If an athlete shows signs of heat illness, immediate cooling methods should be initiated and emergency medical services called. An athlete can be cooled by the following:

Coaches play a significant role in the prevention of heat illness with their athletes. One goal for all coaches should be the safety of their athletes. Coaches can minimize the risk of heat illness through the careful monitoring of environmental conditions, adjustment of practice times, reduction in the intensity and length of workouts, and monitoring the hydration level of their athletes.

The copyright of the article Monitoring Heat/Humidity Can Keep Athletes Safe in Sports Medicine is owned by Terry Zeigler. Permission to republish Monitoring Heat/Humidity Can Keep Athletes Safe in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.