Proper planning keeps youth athletes safe in high temps
One of my most memorable sports experiences was during the summer when I finally decided to try out for tackle football. I had played for years with friends on the school fields in our neighborhood, but never on a team with pads and helmets. Every August, our games would stop because my friends had to start practice for the fall season. But for me—given my dad and two older brothers were avid wrestlers—it was time to get ready for wrestling.
It didn’t bother me much. Baseball was my true passion. I only wrestled to pass the time until baseball season. And wrestling was probably the best way to stay in shape. But one thing I learned quickly in wrestling is that, if my heart wasn’t in it, I wouldn’t enjoy getting pinned all the time! Going into my junior year of high school, I gave up on wrestling and followed my friends to football tryouts.
A Dangerous Practice
I once believed a wrestling room in September was the hottest place on the planet. However, while it’s still the worst-smelling, I can say football practice (in Florida, in August, in the sun, in pads) is definitely the hottest. Throw on top of that a coach who withholds water as a motivation technique, and that heat can turn from discomfort to deadly quickly.
I thought of myself as someone who could put up with almost anything. But during the first practice, after about 90 minutes in 90-degree heat, with out-of-shape guys throwing up all around me, I realized it wasn’t about toughness at all. And I know now that the approach was pure ignorance on the part of the head coach. He berated any player who asked for water because it took time away from learning plays. By the end of the first practice, I was ready to never go back.
Luckily for me, my dad was an ex-high school football coach and was also friends with the school’s athletic director. The next day, the director attended practice to ensure water breaks were scheduled throughout. Of course, the head coach was not happy that some “pansy” had complained about the heat. I didn’t care. By the end of that practice, most of my friends who called me “pansy boy” before thanked me every time we had a water break.
Heat-Safe Best Practices
Today, if there were a list of topics youth-sports administrators are obligated to learn, heat-related challenges would be on top. From youth leagues to college programs, there are still too many stories about athletes dying from heat-related illnesses. From mild heat cramps to life-threatening heatstroke, it is crucial for parents, coaches, and athletes to recognize the dangers and take preventive measures.
Children are more susceptible to heat illness than adults because their bodies have a harder time regulating temperature. The key is prevention:
- Make sure athletes hydrate before, during, and after practices.
- Monitor weather conditions and modify practice schedules or reduce intensity during extreme heat and humidity.
- Utilize gradual acclimatization and increase activity levels gradually over 7-14 days to help athletes’ bodies adjust to the heat.
- Have players dress appropriately as lightweight, breathable, and light-colored clothing can help regulate body temperature.
- Take frequent breaks during which players can rest in shaded or air-conditioned areas and avoid overexertion.
- Recognize the warning signs of trouble, which include cramping, shortness of breath, dizziness, headache, weakness, nausea, and confusion.
Allen Hardin, Chief Medical Officer at the University of Texas, is one of the featured experts in NAYS’ new online Preventing Heat Illness training program. He says, “Heat illness can be really serious, but it’s also easily preventable, and I think that’s the message that coaches need to hear is that with a little planning, this is very preventable.”
By understanding the risks and taking proactive steps, leaders can help ensure the safety and well-being of children participating in sports. Education, hydration, and proper monitoring are key to preventing heat-related tragedies on the field. Administrators must work together with coaches, parents, and athletes to recognize the dangers and prioritize safety, allowing young athletes to enjoy sports without compromising their health.