Athletic Training - Environmental Considerations

Hyperthermia

Abnormally high body temperature

Hypothermia

abnormally low body temperature

Hyperthermia has been a cause of

death in secondary and college settings

Regardless of conditioning

caution must be taken in hot, humid conditions

Hyperthermia can occur in _________ or _________ weather

hot or cold

Metabolic Heat Production

Normal metabolic function results in production of heat (will increase with intensity of exercise)

Conductive Heat Exchange

Physical contact with other objects can result in either heat loss or heat gain

Convective Heat Exchange

Body heat can be lost or gained depending on circulation of medium

Radiant Heat Exchange

Radiant heat from sunshine increases body temperature.

evaporative heat loss

Process by which sweat glands in the skin allow water to be transported to the surface, where it then evaporates, taking large quantities of heat with it.

Why is heat illness more likely to occur in humid conditions?

The body cannot evaporate sweat as effectively due to the moisture in the air

The best way to check for hydration

Urine color

Lemonade colored urine

Hydrated urine

Completely clear urine

Overhydrated urine

Apple juice colored urine

Dehydrated urine

mild dehydration

loss of 1-2 L of water (2% of body weight)

Signs of dehydration

thirst, dry mouth, headache, dizziness, irritability, lethargy, excessive fatigue, and possibly cramps

fluid replacement

should match fluid loss

Why should you not rely on thirst as a measure of proper fluid replacement?

The body is already mildly dehydrated when you are thirsty

What are the steps to determine how much fluid to replace?

1. Make sure athlete is hydrated before activity
2. Take a nude/minimally clothed weight
3. Exercise (keep track of any water consumed)
4. Take another nude/minimally clothed weight
5. Drink 1 liter of fluid for every 2.2 pounds lost

Gradual Acclimatization

becoming accustomed to heat and also getting used to exercising in hot temperatures

NCAA guidelines for preseason football

5 day progressive activity and equipment protocol

Individuals who are more susceptible to heat illness

Large muscle mass, overweight individuals, men, younger people, elderly people, history of heat illness, febrile conditions

Rubberized suits

should never be used for athletic uniforms

sling psychrometer

wet and dry thermometers that measures relative humidity (requires a chart)

heat rash/prickly heat

Benign condition associated with red, raised rash, combined with prickling with sweat
Result of continuously wet un-evaporated sweat
Continually toweling the body will prevent
Generally localized to areas covered with clothing

Heat Syncope

fainting that occurs when the body attempts to cool itself by dilating the blood vessels

Exertional Heat Cramps

Painful muscle spasms that occur most commonly in the calf and abdomen, although any muscle can be involved.

Exertional Heat Exhaustion

Caused by prolonged sweating leading to dehydration and an inability to sustain adequate cardiac output

Exertional heat stroke

Symptoms include: Stopped sweating, temperature at 104, increased respiration, rapid pulse, flushed skin, loss of consciousness, diarrhea, vomiting

Submersion in water, activate EMS (call 911)

treatment for exertional heat stroke

3 factors that cause hypothermia

Low temperature, wind chill, dampness/wetness

frost nip

- involves ears, nose, cheeks, chin, fingers, and toes
- occurs when there is a high win, severe cold, or both
- skin initially firm but then blisters 24-72 hours after

Frost bite

the freezing of body tissue

chilblains

inflammation of the hands and feet caused by exposure to cold and moisture

superficial frostbite

involves only the skin and subcutaneous tissue

deep frostbite

tissues are frozen, immediate hospitalization, tissues are cold, hard, pale, and numb, rapid rewarming is required

Raynaud's phenomenon

a peripheral arterial occlusive disease in which intermittent attacks are triggered by cold or stress

Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS)

condition that occurs a result of acute exposure to high altitude due to a low partial pressure of oxygen

High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE)

A condition of unknown cause in which fluid accumulates in the lungs at altitude, interfering with ventilation, resulting in shortness of breath and fatigue, and characterized by impaired blood oxygenation, mental confusion, and loss of consciousness.

High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE)

A condition of unknown cause in which fluid accumulates in the cranial cavity at altitude; characterized by mental confusion that can progress to coma and death.

Sickle cell reaction at high altitude

Decreased oxygen at higher elevation can cause the red blood cells to change shape (sickle shape), can lead to large spleen that has the potential to rupture at high altitudes

SPF

sun protection factor

SPF 30

Protects skin from burning/turning red 30x longer than skin with no protection

flash to bang method

-count # of seconds until bang occurs and divide by 5 to determine the number of miles away . if count is <30, danger
-30 min pass before RTP

Most common injuries on artificial turf

Abrasions (turf burn)
Turf toe (hyperextension of big toe)