Twenty-five. That’s the number of heat-related deaths that have occurred on high school playing fields since 1995. But most of these deaths are preventable if coaches, parents and athletes recognize and put into practice heat safety on the football field.

As summer turns to fall and pre-season workouts begin, athletes undergo rigorous practices in lingering high temperatures making them vulnerable to the dangers of heat stroke. Football players are particularly prone to dehydration because extreme physical demands of the sport combined with the heavy equipment required predispose them to higher body temperatures and increased sweating. The helmet, shoulder pads, and other padding act as insulation, keeping the heat close to the body and increasing fluid losses from sweat.

During twice-a-day workouts, the average football player can lose up to 14 liters of fluid in 24 hours. It is not uncommon for them to lose between five and seven pounds during a single practice. The key to avoiding dehydration and heat injuries that can accompany dehydration is to be proactive about hydration and heat safety.

Practice these guidelines to stay safe from the heat on the gridiron:

• Require athletes to have a physical and find out if an athlete has a medical condition or history of heat-related illness. Such players are more susceptible to heat stroke as are overweight players.
     
• Acclimatize players to the heat slowly by working out just in a helmet for the first three days of practice. Then, the next three days of practice add the shoulder pads followed by full pads three days later.  Do not have two-a-day practices during the first week of practice. When you do begin two practices a day, alternate the schedule with one practice on one day followed by two practices the next day, followed by one practice, and so on.
     
• Alter practice schedules to avoid long workouts in high humidity.  Limit excessive activity by scheduling regular breaks and allow for fluid replacement.  Provide shaded rest areas with circulating air.  Remove helmets and shoulder pads during the breaks and provide cold water and a sports drink (Gatorade or PowerAde) before, during and after practice in unlimited quantities.
      
• Athletes should weigh in before and after practice, and their weight charts should be monitored each day to identify excessive weight loss.  If an athlete loses 3% or more body weight, they are not allowed to practice the next day until they replace what was lost.
     
• Know the symptoms of heat illness: nausea, incoherence, fatigue, weakness, vomiting, muscle cramps, weak rapid pulse and visual disturbance. Contrary to popular belief, heat stroke victims may sweat profusely.
       
• Have an emergency plan in place. Educate all involved on how to prevent, identify and treat heat injuries annually, and make sure adequate staff and medical support are available on site to effectively monitor participants.

Youth shouldn’t have to suffer heat injuries or death while participating in a favorite sport. Everyone wins when parents, coaches and athletes practice heat safety.

MCG Health, Inc. (d/b/a MCGHealth) is a not-for-profit corporation operating the MCGHealth Medical Center, MCGHealth Children’s Medical Center, the Georgia Radiation Therapy Center, and related outpatient facilities and services throughout the state.  For more information, please visit mcghealth.org.