Dangers of Adverse Environmental / Thermal Conditions PE 236 Juan Cuevas, ATC

1. Dangers of Adverse Environmental / Thermal ConditionsPE 236Juan Cuevas, ATC

2. Environmental _____ can adversely impact an athlete’s performance and pose serious health threats • Areas of concern • _______________ • _______________ • Overexposure to the sun

3. _______________ • Athletic trainers require knowledge and information concerning temperature, humidity and weather to adequately make decisions regarding environmental ___________ • Has caused a number of _____ over the years • Must manage heat stress appropriately • Hyperthermia = _______ in body temperature

4. Heat Stress • Extreme caution should be used when training in the heat (_________ could result heat stress) • It is _________________ • Athletes who train under these extreme conditions are at risk • Physiologically the body will continue to function if body temperature is maintained • Body must _____________ heat to maintain homeostasis

5. Heat can be dissipated from the body through 4 mechanisms • Conduction (direct contact) • ____________ (contact with cool air or water mass) • Radiation (heat generated from metabolism) • ___________ (sweat evaporating from the skin) • Majority of body heat is dissipated through evaporation

6. Evaporative Heat Loss • ____________ allow water transport to surface • Evaporation of water takes heat with it • When radiant heat and environment temperature are higher than body temperature, loss of heat through evaporation ________ • Air must be relatively ___________ for evaporation to occur • relative humidity of 65% impairs evaporation • relative humidity of 75% stops evaporation • ________________ can still occur in cold environment if body is unable to dissipate heat • Caused by dehydration and inability to sweat

7. Monitoring Heat Index • Heat, sunshine and humidity must be monitored closely • Wet bulb globe temperature index (_______) provides objective measure for determining precautions concerning participation in heat • WGBT incorporates different thermometer readings • ___________ (standard mercury temperature) • ____________ (thermometer with wet gauze that is swung around in air)

8. DBT and WBT can be measured with psychrometer (combines both thermometers) • Wet bulb will be lower due to evaporation of water • Ventilation is provided by whirling thermometer (sling psychrometer) • Newer models utilize digital sensors

10. Heat Illnesses • Heat ___________ (heat collapse) • Associated with rapid fatigue and ________________, ________ in heat for long periods of time • Caused by peripheral vasodilation, or pooling of _______ in extremities resulting in dizziness and fainting • Treat by placing athlete in cool environment, consuming fluids and laying down

11. Heat Cramps • Painful muscle _______ (calf, abdominal) due to excessive water loss and electrolyte imbalance • Occurs in individuals in good shape who _____________ themselves • Treatment • Prevent by consuming ______ fluids and maintaining electrolyte ________ • Treat with fluid ingestion, light stretching with ice ___________ • Return to play unlikely due to continued cramping

12. Heat _____________ • Result of inadequate fluid _____________ • Will exhibit signs of _______ sweating, _____ skin, mildly elevated temperature, dizziness, hyperventilation and ____ pulse • May develop heat cramps or become faint/dizzy • Core temperature will be ~102o • Performance may ________ • Immediate treatment includes fluid ingestion (intravenous replacement, ultimately), place in cool environment

14. _____________ • Serious _____-threatening condition, with unknown specific cause • Characterized by sudden onset - sudden collapse, ______, flushed _____ skin, minimal sweating, shallow breathing, _____ rapid pulse, and core temperature of > ______o F • Temperature must be lowered within 45 minutes • Drastic measures must be taken to cool athlete • Strip clothing • Sponge with cool water • Transport to hospital immediately… ______!!!

16. Preventing Heat Illness • _____________ sense and precaution • Consume fluids and ___________ • Fluid and __________________ Replacement • Single most important step taken by a coach to minimize the chance of heat illnesses • Continual _________________ is critically important • Generally only 50% of fluid is ever replaced and should therefore be replaced before, during, and after exercise

17. Fluid replacement should match ____________ • Most effectively replaced at regular intervals (15 minutes) • Time of stomach emptying is critical • Water is absorbed rapidly from intestine • Drink with 6% CHO is eliminated at the same rate if the individual is hydrated • _________ drinks tend to empty rapidly and will not induce cramping • Drinks with caffeine and alcohol will promote _____________ • Hydration levels can be monitored via ________ color and volume • Appropriate hydration = clear urine at normal or above-normal output level 60 minutes following exercise

18. Using Sports Drinks • _____ effective than just replacing fluids with water • Flavoring results in increased desire to consume • Replaces fluids and ______________ • Small amounts of _______ help in retention of water • Different drinks have different nutrient levels • Optimal CHO level is 14g per ___ ounces of water • More CHO results in slower absorption • Effective for both short term and endurance activities

20. Gradual Acclimatization • Most effective method of avoiding heat stress • Involves becoming ___________ to heat and exercising in heat • Early pre-season training and graded intensity changes are recommended with progressive exposure over __________ day period • 80% of acclimatization can be achieved during first 5-6 days with 2 hour morning and _____________ practice sessions

21. Identifying Susceptible Individuals • Athletes with ________ muscle mass • ____________ athletes • Athlete with increased fluid loss • While slight differences exist, precautionary measures apply to both males and females • Athletes consuming medications or ___________ may have impaired sweating and may predispose them to injury • Uniform Selection • Base on temperature and ___________ • Dress for the weather and temperature • _________ rubberized suits

22. Weight Records • Keep track of before and after measures for first ___________ • If increase in temperature and humidity occurs during the season, weights should again be recorded • A loss of ________-% = reduced blood volume and could be a health threat

23. _________________ Most activity allows for adequate heat production (increased metabolism) and dissipation, allowing for sufficient functioning • Impact on warm-up and “_____________” • Temperature in conjunction with wind chill and dampness or wetness can increase chances of _______________

24. With __________ fatigue, rate of exercise begins to drop and rate of heat loss relative to heat production may shift • Results in impaired neuromuscular responses and _____________ • Drop in core temp stimulates shivering but stops after temp drops below _________oF • Death is imminent when temp falls below 77-85oF.

25. Cold Disorders • Fluid replacement is critical even under colder environmental conditions • Dehydration = decreased _________ = less fluid available for tissue _____________ • May be useful to monitor weight of athletes training in cold temperatures • While less common, injury/illness due to the cold still occur, particularly in ____________ type activities, winter sports and swimming in cold water

26. _____________ • Apparel geared for weather to provide semitropical microclimate for body and prevent ________ • __________ and windproof fabrics that allow passage of heat and sweat, and allow movement • __________ and adjusting them are key to maintaining body temperature (during period of (in-activity) • Inadequate clothing, improper warm-up and chill factor can lead to injury, frostbite, and/or minor ___________ problems

27. Overexposure to _______- • Precautions must be taken to protect athletes, coaches, athletic trainers and support staff • ____________ Effects on Skin • Premature aging and skin ________ due to ultraviolet exposure • Premature aging is characterized by ________, cracking and inelasticity of the ________ • Skin cancer is the most common malignant tumor found in ________-

28. Using _____________ • Can help prevent damaging effects of UV radiation • Sunscreen effectiveness is expressed as _____ (sun protection factor) • Indicates how many times longer an individual can be exposed to the sun with vs. without sunscreen before skin turns _____. • The _______ the susceptibility, the higher the SPF that should be used • Should be worn by ______, coaches, and athletic trainers who are outside a considerable amount, and/or have fair complexion, light hair, blue eyes, or skin that ____________

29. Sunscreen use is at its highest March - November but should be used year round (particularly between the hours of ________) • It should be applied _______ minutes before exposure and re-applied after exposure to water, excess __________, rubbing skin with clothing or a towel