AS YOU GO OVER individual summer workout programs with your players and prepare for the start of two-a-day practices, caution everyone about how heat and humidity can lead to mild heat illness or serious heatstroke.
Avoid Grueling Workouts In Brutal Conditions
Randy Eichner, a professor of medicine at the University of Oklahoma Medical Center and the football team’s internist, says an average of three players each year have died from heatstroke since 1995. Yet he maintains the risk of heatstroke can be dramatically reduced when coaches and players fully understand the risk factors involved and take the necessary precautions to avoid illness or death.
In an article for the Professional Football Athletic Trainers Society, Eichner points out that early diagnosis and proper treatment can definitely save lives — even though heat illness can develop rapidly in football players and the warning signs are often subtle.
10 Major Risk Factor Concerns
When Eichner studied the cases of the three players who died at the high school, college and professional level in the summer heat of 2001, he found the usual risk factors were involved. He says the major factors that lead to heatstroke in football players include working out during the first few days of two-a-day practices when temperatures soar over 80 degrees F. and the humidity is more than 40 percent.
Susceptible players are normally unacclimated, dehydrated, out of shape, have a warrior mentality, are overweight and may be taking supplements.
In the article for football trainers, Eichner outlines 10 very practical ways to help prevent heatstroke on the field this summer. If you would like a copy of the 8-page report, let the Gridiron Strategies staffers know at the address listed below and we’ll drop you a copy in the mail. Please include your name, coaching title, school or team name, city and state.