61
3. Indoor and outdoor activities that should be avoided include, but are not limited to, calisthenics,
basketball, baseball, running, field hockey, soccer, football, tennis, swimming and diving.
4. Required restriction of physical activity.
Level Purple, PSI 201-300 (Very Unhealthy)
1. All athletes shall discontinue vigorous indoor and outdoor activities, regardless of duration.
2. All indoor and outdoor physical education classes, sports practices and athletic competitions shall be
rescheduled.
Note: Indoor practices may be held if an air-conditioned facility is available.
Sect. 12: Heat Stress and Athletic Participation
Early fall football, cross country, soccer and field hockey practices are conducted in very hot and
humid weather in many parts of the United States. Due to the equipment and uniform needed in football,
most of the heat problems have been associated with football. During the 1998 season, there were four heat
stroke deaths in football. There are no excuses for deaths if the proper precautions are taken. During hot
weather, the athlete is subject to the following:
HEAT CRAMPS - Painful cramps involving abdominal muscles and extremities caused by intense,
prolonged exercise in the heat and depletion of salt and water due to profuse sweating.
HEAT SYNCOPE - Weakness, fatigue, and fainting due to loss of salt and water in sweat and exercise in
the heat. Predisposes to heat stroke.
HEAT EXHAUSTION (WATER DEPLETION) - Excessive weight loss, reduced sweating, elevated
skin and core body temperature, excessive thirst, weakness, headaches and sometimes unconsciousness.
HEAT STROKE - An acute medical emergency related to thermoregulatory failure. Associated with
nausea, seizures, disorientation, and possible unconsciousness or coma. It may occur suddenly without
being preceded by any other clinical signs. The individual is usually unconscious with a high body
temperature and a hot dry skin (heat stroke victims, contrary to popular belief, may sweat profusely).
It is believed that the above-mentioned heat stress problems can be controlled provided certain precautions
are taken. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Sports Medicine, heat related
illnesses are all preventable. (Sports Medicine: Health Care for Young Athletes, American Academy of
Pediatrics, 1991). The following practices and precautions are recommended:
1. Each athlete should have a physical exam with a medical history when first entering a program and an
annual health history update. History of previous heat illness and type of training activities before
organized practice begins should be included. State high school association’s recommendations should
be followed. (By-Law Article III; Sect. 2A)
2. It is clear that top physical performance can only be achieved by an athlete who is in top physical
condition. Lack of physical fitness impairs the performance of an athlete who participates in high
temperatures. Coaches should know the PHYSICAL CONDITION of their athletes and set practice
schedules accordingly
3. Along with physical conditioning, the factor of acclimatizing to heat is important. Acclimatization is
the process of becoming adjusted to the heat and it is essential to provide for GRADUAL
ACCLIMATIZATION TO HOT WEATHER. It is necessary for an athlete to exercise in the heat if
he/she is to become acclimatized to it. It is suggested that a graduated physical conditioning program be
used and that 80 percent acclimatization can be expected to occur after the first seven (7) to ten (10)
days. Final states of acclimatization can be expected to occur after the first seven (7) to ten (10) days.
Final stages of acclimatization to heat are marked by increased sweating and reduced salt concentration
in the sweat.
4. The old idea that water should be withheld from athletes during workouts has NO SCIENTIFIC
FOUNDATION. The most important safeguard to the health of an athlete is the replacement of water.
Water must be on the field and readily available to athletes at all times. It is recommended that a
minimum of 10 minutes be scheduled for a water break every half hour of heavy exercise in the heat.
WATER SHOULD BE AVAILABLE IN UNLIMITED QUANTITIES. Check and be sure athletes are