Coaches and Parents Reminded of Heat Precautions During Practices

In the past two weeks, two football players in the United States have lost their lives unnecessarily because of heat stress. Last summer, two high school football players died, including one in Michigan. Deaths from heat stress are preventable and with high school athletic practice during the hot August weather, the Michigan Department of Community Health, the Governors Council on Physical Fitness, Health and Sports and the Michigan High School Athletic Association are reminding coaches and parents to take hot weather precautions.
Dr. David Johnson, Chief Medical Executive for the Michigan Department of Community Health, worries about some outdated ways of thinking about dealing with heat that are still around. "We still occasionally receive reports that kids who take a drink of water during practice are taunted and accused of being wimps. This mentality can be fatal, and must be stopped by responsible adults."

Dr. Johnson, a practicing pediatrician, points out that children have less ability to adapt to heat than adults. "Kids produce more heat per unit of body mass when they exercise than adults do, and they do not have as much sweating capability as adults. In other words, they simply do not cool down as easily as adults, which is why hot weather precautions are so important."

"People are more in tune with the need to stay hydrated during practices and competition than ever before, but a tragedy can still take place. As a new school sports season begins, we hope that coaches, athletes and parents are aware of how heat related illnesses can be prevented, and how to recognize the early warning signs when they do occur," said John Johnson, Communications Director for the Michigan High School Athletic Association.

Early warning signs include fatigue, weakness, dizziness, pounding headache, visual disturbances, inattention, awkwardness or unsteadiness, nausea, vomiting, cramps, flushed appearance, or weak and rapid pulse.

Dr. Charles Kuntzleman, Chair of the Governors Council on Physical Fitness, Health and Sports, suggests that parents of young athletes keep an eye on what is going on at practices. "If both coaches and parents are aware of the preventive measures that can be taken, we can be more confident that our kids will be safe from heat illness."

When exercising heavily in hot weather, both children and adults can become dehydrated without knowing it. "The normal sensation of thirst isn't adequate under these circumstances, which is why we strongly recommend weighing each athlete before and after each practice and game to determine how much water is needed to make up for water lost in sweat," said Dr. Johnson. "Within an hour or so of the exercise session, two cups of fluid should be consumed for each pound of weight lost."

The Michigan High School Athletic Association has sent to each high school in Michigan the following precautions for coaches to observe. These tips to prevent heat illness were developed by Fred Mueller, Ph.D., of the University of North Carolina:

Familiarize athletes to heat gradually. Early practices (the first 7/10 days) should be shorter and less intense, as should practices on abnormally hot or humid days. During the hottest weather, practice sessions should be scheduled in cooler parts of the day.

Both temperature and relative humidity (see chart), should be taken into account. The more humid the air, the less athletes are able to cool off through evaporation of water from their skin.

Cold water should be available in unlimited quantities to players. Water breaks should be scheduled for 10 minutes every half hour during heavy exercise in the heat; drinking water during these breaks should be mandatory and players should have their own water bottle or disposable paper cups should be provided, to prevent spreading of diseases.
Adjust activity levels and provide frequent rest periods in the heat. During water breaks, athletes should rest in shaded areas, remove helmets and loosen or remove jerseys.

Athletes should be weighed before and after practice to monitor water loss. Weight loss greater than 3% indicates substantial risk. For every pound of weight lost through sweat, two cups of fluid should be taken.


Salt should be replaced through salting of food. Salt tablets should never be used. Too much salt can actually increase the athlete's need for water.

During hot weather practice, athletes should wear clothing that allows evaporation of water from the skin, such as shorts and fishnet jerseys. Sweat "saturated t-shirts should be changed often because they retain heat. Helmets should be used only when necessary in hot weather practices.

Athletes should be observed closely for signs of heat illness, which including fatigue, lethargy, inattention, stupor, and awkwardness, nausea, vomiting, cramps, unsteadiness, or weak, rapid pulse.

Some athletes are more susceptible to heat illness than others. Identify and closely observe those of greatest risk of heat illness, including those unaccustomed to working in heat, poorly conditioned athletes, over-eager athletes, those who are overweight, with acute illness, cystic fibrosis, diabetes mellitus and mental retardation. Athletes with a previous history of heat illness should be watched especially closely during practice in hot weather.

Dangerous Hot Weather Guide for Activities That Last 30 Minutes or More:

Air Temp---Relative Humidity Danger Zone---Relative Humidity Critical Zone
70 o F--------------------80%----------------------------------------------100%
75 o F--------------------70%----------------------------------------------100%
80 o F--------------------50%------------------------------------------------80%
85 o F--------------------40%------------------------------------------------68%
90 o F--------------------30%------------------------------------------------55%
95 o F--------------------20%------------------------------------------------40%
100 o F------------------10%------------------------------------------------30%

Source: Fox and Mathews. The Physiological Basis of PE and Athletics. New York.1981

For more information on preventing football injuries, call 800-353-8227 for the free booklet "Head Up, Eyes Forward, a Parents Guide to Preventing Football Injuries." Research and recommendations for coaches and athletic directors can be obtained by calling the Michigan Fitness Foundation at 800-434-8642 or at http://www.mdch.state.mi.us/pha/vipf2/