Coaches Can Help Prevent Heat Stroke in Teen Athletes

Wednesday July 1, 2009

Nearly every year there are reports of serious heat illness or sudden death in student athletes during sweltering summer practices. Football players, with bulky pads and helmets and intense workouts, are especially susceptible to the affects of heat. Since 1995, at least 39 student football players have died from heat-related causes. In 2008, alone, there were four deaths at the high school level and two at the college level all related to heat stroke.

Because of the growing number of reports, most states now have guidelines for students athletes that address practice and competition in hot weather.

The National Association of Athletic Trainers offers a comprehensive list of recommendations to reduce the risk of heat-related illness, such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke. The Preseason Heat-Acclimatization Guidelines for Secondary School Athletics provides recommendations for the initial 14 days of pre-season practice. The following are some of the recommendations:

Each individual practice should last no more than three hours.
On Days 1 to 5, athletes can participate in only one daily practice.
During the first 2 days of sports requiring helmets or shoulder pads, a helmet should be the only protective equipment permitted.
On Days 3 to 5, only helmets and shoulder pads should be worn.
Beginning no earlier than Day 6 and continuing through Day 14, double-practice days must be followed by a single-practice day.