Young athletes reminded to stay hydrated during hot practices
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heat illness during practice or competition is a leading cause of death and disability among U.S. high school athletes, and football players were more likely to suffer from heat illness than any other sport.
Unfortunately, in the past few weeks there have been at least three heat-related deaths during high school football practices in our nation. Two high school football players from Georgia and a coach in Texas all died during intense temperatures, and four high school football players in Arkansas were hospitalized for dehydration during the same time period. In addition to these incidents, a 28-year-old runner in a Kansas City, Mo. endurance race also died of heatstroke at the beginning of August.
Every state athletic association has recommendations that are given to school districts regarding hydration, heat and practices. According to the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA), “From 1995 through the 2002 football season there have been 15 high school heat stroke deaths in football. This is not acceptable. There are no excuses for heatstroke deaths, if the proper precautions are taken.”
They also state that, “The most important safeguard to the health of the athlete is the replacement of water. Water must be on the field and readily available to the athletes at all times. It is recommended that a minimum 10-minute water break be scheduled for every 20 minutes of heavy exercise in the heat. Athletes should rest in a shaded area during the break. Water should be available in unlimited quantities.”
As is the case in towns, cities and suburbs all across America, football season is upon us. Many schools have been participating in two-a-day practices for a few weeks, and most have held optional summer conditioning since June. Local athletes have been hard at work while Mother Nature has been boiling hot.
Both East Holmes and West Holmes local school districts take the health and welfare of their athletes very seriously. Local athletic directors are vigilant in stressing the OHSAA recommendations and guidelines to coaches and athletes alike and make student health a top priority.
Todd Day, West Holmes athletic director, said it is “very important” to make sure all athletes are hydrated.
“This is something we stress to our coaches, parents and athletes,” Day shared. “Our teams that practice outdoors will practice in the morning to avoid the heat of the afternoon. Plenty of water is available at all times and our athletes take numerous water breaks.”
According to Day, how quickly an athlete can become exhausted from the heat differs from individual to individual, but coaches are trained to look for signs like dizziness, fatigue, nausea or any other sign that an athlete is not feeling well. The school athletic trainer is also present to observe practices.
“If an athlete would become ill the coaches and trainer would get the athlete in the shade and begin cooling them down immediately and EMS would be called right away if needed,” Day added.
Erik Beun is the athletic director for East Holmes Local School District and shared Day’s sentiments adamantly.
“During this time of year, our coaches make hydration a top priority above anything else,” Beun said. “We also avoid the hottest time of day and hold practices in the early morning or later in the evening.”
Beun said coaches at East Holmes are also aware how vital it is to recognize danger signs to prevent any possible heat illness and are in close contact with the school’s athletic trainer at all times.
Parents need to stress to their children the importance of staying hydrated. Drinking plenty of water during the day before practice is essential, and avoiding soda and other caffeinated drinks is a must, as caffeine can actually dehydrate the body. Make sure your child knows how important it is to stop and rest if they feel sick or dizzy. And remember this, sports practice is not the only time a teen can become dehydrated. If your child participates in marching band, enjoys jogging or running or is out on the farm making hay - make sure they know the dangers of becoming dehydrated and the importance of drinking lots of water.
Unfortunately, in the past few weeks there have been at least three heat-related deaths during high school football practices in our nation. Two high school football players from Georgia and a coach in Texas all died during intense temperatures, and four high school football players in Arkansas were hospitalized for dehydration during the same time period. In addition to these incidents, a 28-year-old runner in a Kansas City, Mo. endurance race also died of heatstroke at the beginning of August.
Every state athletic association has recommendations that are given to school districts regarding hydration, heat and practices. According to the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA), “From 1995 through the 2002 football season there have been 15 high school heat stroke deaths in football. This is not acceptable. There are no excuses for heatstroke deaths, if the proper precautions are taken.”
They also state that, “The most important safeguard to the health of the athlete is the replacement of water. Water must be on the field and readily available to the athletes at all times. It is recommended that a minimum 10-minute water break be scheduled for every 20 minutes of heavy exercise in the heat. Athletes should rest in a shaded area during the break. Water should be available in unlimited quantities.”
As is the case in towns, cities and suburbs all across America, football season is upon us. Many schools have been participating in two-a-day practices for a few weeks, and most have held optional summer conditioning since June. Local athletes have been hard at work while Mother Nature has been boiling hot.
Both East Holmes and West Holmes local school districts take the health and welfare of their athletes very seriously. Local athletic directors are vigilant in stressing the OHSAA recommendations and guidelines to coaches and athletes alike and make student health a top priority.
Todd Day, West Holmes athletic director, said it is “very important” to make sure all athletes are hydrated.
“This is something we stress to our coaches, parents and athletes,” Day shared. “Our teams that practice outdoors will practice in the morning to avoid the heat of the afternoon. Plenty of water is available at all times and our athletes take numerous water breaks.”
According to Day, how quickly an athlete can become exhausted from the heat differs from individual to individual, but coaches are trained to look for signs like dizziness, fatigue, nausea or any other sign that an athlete is not feeling well. The school athletic trainer is also present to observe practices.
“If an athlete would become ill the coaches and trainer would get the athlete in the shade and begin cooling them down immediately and EMS would be called right away if needed,” Day added.
Erik Beun is the athletic director for East Holmes Local School District and shared Day’s sentiments adamantly.
“During this time of year, our coaches make hydration a top priority above anything else,” Beun said. “We also avoid the hottest time of day and hold practices in the early morning or later in the evening.”
Beun said coaches at East Holmes are also aware how vital it is to recognize danger signs to prevent any possible heat illness and are in close contact with the school’s athletic trainer at all times.
Parents need to stress to their children the importance of staying hydrated. Drinking plenty of water during the day before practice is essential, and avoiding soda and other caffeinated drinks is a must, as caffeine can actually dehydrate the body. Make sure your child knows how important it is to stop and rest if they feel sick or dizzy. And remember this, sports practice is not the only time a teen can become dehydrated. If your child participates in marching band, enjoys jogging or running or is out on the farm making hay - make sure they know the dangers of becoming dehydrated and the importance of drinking lots of water.
Published: August 16, 2011
