California Athletic Trainers’ Association Offers Tips for Exercising Safely in the Heat
San Diego, CA, September 19, 2014 --(PR.com)-- Temperatures are skyrocketing and that means hot weather and high humidity – both serious concerns to people of all ages who enjoy spending time outdoors.
The California Athletic Trainers’ Association (CATA) warns that heat illness can affect anyone who overexerts themselves under the sun. The people most at risk include overweight or larger athletes, the elderly and children whose bodies are ill-equipped to handle the heat.
A study conducted by researchers at the Center for Injury Research and Policy of The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital found that an estimated 54,983 exertional heat-related injuries (average of 5,500 cases each year) were treated in emergency departments during a 10-year study period. Overall, nearly half of the injuries were sustained by children and adolescents 19 years of age and younger.
“Exertional heat stroke (EHS) is the second most common cause of death among young athletes,” says Michael West, president of the CATA. Fatalities due to heat illness can be as high as 80 percent if immediate treatment is not received. However, with early recognition and immediate cooling, the mortality rate can be reduced to 10 percent.
“There is no reason for anyone to die from heat stroke or suffer from heat-related illness,” West adds. “It’s completely preventable.”
The CATA recommends paying particular attention to athletes since 75 percent of heat-related injuries occur during sports or exercise. And those that require additional padding or helmets, like football, wrestling and even marching band are especially at risk.
The CATA has prepared a list of important tips that people of all ages can follow to enjoy physical activity and also reduce the risk of exertional heat illness during the hot months of summer.
Heat-related Ailments
There are three stages of heat-related illness, each with very distinct characteristics. By learning to recognize the symptoms, you can prevent the problem from escalating into a potentially life threatening incident.
Heat Cramps: Characterized by involuntary muscle spasms, profuse sweating, normal pulse and respirations and possible dizziness.
Treatment: Sit in a cool place, massage cramps with ice, stretch and drink water and diluted electrolyte drinks.
Heat Exhaustion: Skin becomes cool and clammy, profuse sweating, dizziness or disorientation, breathing becomes rapid and shallow and pulse is weak.
Treatment: Remove wet clothing and equipment, cool rapidly (ice water on skin or submerge in ice bath), use fan if possible and may need IV fluids.
Heat Stroke: Increased irritability followed by apathy, very disoriented and unsteady, pulse is strong and rapid, skin is hot and dry, blood pressure will drop, convulsions, and possibly coma.
Treatment: Activate 911 response immediately – this is a medical emergency and can lead to death. Cool rapidly with ice or submerge in ice bath, treat for shock, and transfer to trauma center as soon as possible.
All three types of heat-related illness should be treated without delay because progression from one stage to the next can happen suddenly and without warning.
To avoid heat related illness:
- Stay properly hydrated with water and diluted electrolyte drinks. When the body becomes dehydrated it loses its ability to properly cool itself.
- Make sure you acclimatize to your environment; you are more likely to suffer from heat-related illness when you exercise outdoors in the heat than if you spend all day indoors in a controlled environment.
- Remember to rehydrate after daily exercise; track your weight before and after exercise so you know how much water you need to replace (8 oz. of water for every pound of body weight lost).
- Wear loose comfortable clothing; synthetics are best for wicking water from the skin.
- If you have a pre-existing health problem, consult your doctor before jumping into outdoor activities.
About the California Athletic Trainers’ Association (CATA):
Athletic trainers are health care professionals who specialize in the provision of physical medicine and rehabilitation services, serving as physician extenders in the prevention, assessment and treatment of acute and chronic injuries and illnesses. The California Athletic Trainers’ Association represents and supports 2,200 members of the athletic training profession through communication and education.
CATA is fighting to pass legislation that will recognize the proper definition and scope of practice for the profession in California, the only state in the U.S. that doesn’t require regulation for athletic trainers. For more information, visit http://ca-at.org/.
The California Athletic Trainers’ Association (CATA) warns that heat illness can affect anyone who overexerts themselves under the sun. The people most at risk include overweight or larger athletes, the elderly and children whose bodies are ill-equipped to handle the heat.
A study conducted by researchers at the Center for Injury Research and Policy of The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital found that an estimated 54,983 exertional heat-related injuries (average of 5,500 cases each year) were treated in emergency departments during a 10-year study period. Overall, nearly half of the injuries were sustained by children and adolescents 19 years of age and younger.
“Exertional heat stroke (EHS) is the second most common cause of death among young athletes,” says Michael West, president of the CATA. Fatalities due to heat illness can be as high as 80 percent if immediate treatment is not received. However, with early recognition and immediate cooling, the mortality rate can be reduced to 10 percent.
“There is no reason for anyone to die from heat stroke or suffer from heat-related illness,” West adds. “It’s completely preventable.”
The CATA recommends paying particular attention to athletes since 75 percent of heat-related injuries occur during sports or exercise. And those that require additional padding or helmets, like football, wrestling and even marching band are especially at risk.
The CATA has prepared a list of important tips that people of all ages can follow to enjoy physical activity and also reduce the risk of exertional heat illness during the hot months of summer.
Heat-related Ailments
There are three stages of heat-related illness, each with very distinct characteristics. By learning to recognize the symptoms, you can prevent the problem from escalating into a potentially life threatening incident.
Heat Cramps: Characterized by involuntary muscle spasms, profuse sweating, normal pulse and respirations and possible dizziness.
Treatment: Sit in a cool place, massage cramps with ice, stretch and drink water and diluted electrolyte drinks.
Heat Exhaustion: Skin becomes cool and clammy, profuse sweating, dizziness or disorientation, breathing becomes rapid and shallow and pulse is weak.
Treatment: Remove wet clothing and equipment, cool rapidly (ice water on skin or submerge in ice bath), use fan if possible and may need IV fluids.
Heat Stroke: Increased irritability followed by apathy, very disoriented and unsteady, pulse is strong and rapid, skin is hot and dry, blood pressure will drop, convulsions, and possibly coma.
Treatment: Activate 911 response immediately – this is a medical emergency and can lead to death. Cool rapidly with ice or submerge in ice bath, treat for shock, and transfer to trauma center as soon as possible.
All three types of heat-related illness should be treated without delay because progression from one stage to the next can happen suddenly and without warning.
To avoid heat related illness:
- Stay properly hydrated with water and diluted electrolyte drinks. When the body becomes dehydrated it loses its ability to properly cool itself.
- Make sure you acclimatize to your environment; you are more likely to suffer from heat-related illness when you exercise outdoors in the heat than if you spend all day indoors in a controlled environment.
- Remember to rehydrate after daily exercise; track your weight before and after exercise so you know how much water you need to replace (8 oz. of water for every pound of body weight lost).
- Wear loose comfortable clothing; synthetics are best for wicking water from the skin.
- If you have a pre-existing health problem, consult your doctor before jumping into outdoor activities.
About the California Athletic Trainers’ Association (CATA):
Athletic trainers are health care professionals who specialize in the provision of physical medicine and rehabilitation services, serving as physician extenders in the prevention, assessment and treatment of acute and chronic injuries and illnesses. The California Athletic Trainers’ Association represents and supports 2,200 members of the athletic training profession through communication and education.
CATA is fighting to pass legislation that will recognize the proper definition and scope of practice for the profession in California, the only state in the U.S. that doesn’t require regulation for athletic trainers. For more information, visit http://ca-at.org/.
Contact
Ashley Shafer
619-295-7140
http://ca-at.org/
619-295-7140
http://ca-at.org/
Contact
Categories