From an interview with
Dr. Art Jordan
McLeod Orthopaedics Florence

Temperatures have reached dangerously high levels this summer. As football and other sports begin practice, teams should use caution in this extreme heat. Athletes can avoid heat illness and perform their best by training safely.

Some important reminders for coaches and players are:

• Get acclimated gradually. Increase training in the heat to prepare for the first full practice or competition.
• Schedule cooler times of day for practice, exercise, or practice early in the morning or evening rather than the middle of the day.
• Pace yourself in every practice. Start each session slowly and gradually. Increase intensity to avoid an injury.
• Most importantly, stay hydrated to prepare for extreme heat. Drink an adequate amount of water or sports drink before, during, and after practice.

It’s also important for coaches to pay special attention to athletes who are at greater risk of heat illness. These include younger participants, athletes who have an acute or chronic illness, and those who have a history of heat illness. Make sure there is open communication with parents and that all preseason medical forms are completed, reviewed, and accessible.

Excessive heat can lead to sunburn, heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Coaches and staff should know the signs of heat-related emergencies and monitor athletes closely. An athlete exhibiting any symptoms such as nausea, confusion, dizziness, or sudden onset of headache, should be immediately removed from practice, cooled down, and placed in a shaded environment.

Be Smart: Know When to Start

When planning practices, coaches should account for heat and humidity. Both the temperature and relative humidity should be taken into account in determining the length of practice sessions. Various international and national medical and sports associations recommend that if the sum of the temperature and relative humidity are greater than or equal to 160, special precautions must be taken. If the sum is greater than 180, canceling practice is recommended. These recommendations can vary with the type of sports activity, age of participants, and location of sporting event.

To learn more, speak with an orthopedic sports medicine specialist near you.