VCU Health System Sports and Fitness Info

HEAT CRAMPS - painful muscle spasms commonly occurring in the calf and/or abdomen.

CAUSE:
loss of excessive water and electrolytes

TREATMENT:
drink lots of cold water, rest, passive stretching and ice massage to affected areas more severe disorder due to inadequate cardiovascular response to the heat

HEAT EXHAUSTION - more severe disorder due to inadequate cardiovascular response to the heat.

CAUSE:
loss of excessive fluid from sweating which results in decreased blood volume available to vital organs

SIGNS/SYMPTOMS: (core temperature rises to 102 degrees)

*weakness *dizziness *headache

*disoriented *nausea/vomiting *decreased appetite

*fainting *diffuse sweating *excessive thirst

**notify your physician

TREATMENT:
- treat immediately to avoid progression to heat stroke

- take off excessive equipment

- lie in a cool area (shade or cool room) with legs elevated

- replenish fluids/electrolytes (it is better to drink small amounts over several hours rather than drinking a large amount at one time)

HEAT STROKE - the most serious and life-threatening heat illness; it can occur suddenly without signs of cramps or heat exhaustion.

CAUSE:
failure of body’s thermoregulatory system; the body is unable to cool itself due to excessive loss of fluids

SIGNS/SYMPTOMS: body temperature can rise to 104 degrees

*fatigue *weakness *chills *headache

*faintness *disoriented *apathy *unsteadiness

*glassy stare *confusion

*FINAL STAGE BEFORE COLLAPSE:
HOT, DRY SKIN AND WEAK/RAPID PULSE

!! EMERGENCY AND LIFE-SAVING ACTIONS MUST BE DONE ASAP !!

Get athlete to cool environment

Strip clothing from athlete and sponge with cool water and fan with towels

DO NOT immerse in cold water tub (shivering occurs which increases body heat)

!! Call EMS for transport to hospital emergency room ASAP !!

ACCLIMATIZATION:
Single most effective means to reduce heat illnesses; takes 7-10 days of progressive increased work in the heat to fully acclimate.

PRESEASON CONDITIONING:
A minimum of 4 weeks of cardiovascular conditioning is recommended. A trained athlete’s body is better able to handle stresses of working in the heat.

MONITOR SUSCEPTIBLE INDIVIDUALS CLOSELY:
Pay special attention to overweight or undertrained athletes exercising in the heat.

MODIFY COACHING TECHNIQUES:

Equipment and uniforms should be light weight, porous, and light colors should be worn; short sleeves and socks should be worn (try to expose as much skin as possible to allow body to dissipate heat.)

Schedule practice in early morning or late afternoon to avoid the hottest part of the day.

If practice must be conducted in the heat, decrease both intensity and duration with more frequent water breaks.

Keep weight charts and check before and after practice every day. (an athlete who has lost 3% of body weight or more from the previous day’s workout is excluded from practice).

Cold water (45-55 degrees) should be available AT ALL TIMES WITHOUT EXCEPTION. There is no acceptable reason to allow an athlete to become hypo hydrated.

16-20 oz of cold water should be replaced for every 1 pound of weight lost. Avoid drinks in protein, caffeine, or alcohol content (these act to further dehydrate the body).

PRACTICE MODIFICATION GUIDE:

TEMP/DEG	HUMIDITY	RECOMMENDATIONS
80-90	Below 70%	Monitor obese/Unconditioned athletes
80-90	Above 70%	10 min. rest/ 30 min. practice with adequate fluid replacement
90-100	Below 70%	same as above
90-100	Above 70%	Suspend practice or shortened practice in shorts and tee shirts
100 +	Above 70%	same as above