Speed and agility training in the summertime means teams working out and practicing in the heat. Thus, young athletes do not adapt to hot weather like adults. Don’t underestimate the importance of knowing the warning signs for heat illnesses and how to prevent them. These illnesses consist of any of the following, heat exhaustion, heat stroke and heat cramps. If your team is doing strength training workouts, as an adult, you need to keep in mind how dangerous heat illness can be to your charges. In reality, heat sickness can be most dangerous to children. The mortality rate for children having heat stroke is 17 to 70%. Things to consider are the seriousness of the ailment and the youth’s age.
Children experience heat-related unwellness when their bodies are unable to offset and properly cool themselves. Young people are more susceptible to heat illness because they can’t adjust as quickly or as well to changes in temperatures as do adults. They also generate additional heat with activity. Young athletes perspire less than adults and they do so at a higher body temperature.. Those kids, whom are heavy, have continuing illnesses and take a number of medications are even more susceptible to high heat conditions during practice.
INDICATORS
Heat Cramps – sore, involuntary muscle twitches, frequently in the gastrocnemius or hamstring muscles (the muscles at the rearward of the forelegs and thighs)
Dehydration – fatigue, thirstiness, wooziness, less-recurrent urination, muddiness, escalated heart rate and respiration, parched skin, dry mouth and mucous membranes
Heat Exhaustion – clammy, pale skin, sweating, dry mouth, tiredness (fatigue), headache and or dizziness
Heat Stroke – Loss of consciousness, confusion or hallucinations, headache, agitation, high body temperature, absence of diaphoresis, deep or shallow breathing, weak pulse rate, seizures|
PREVENTATIVE MEASURES
Be aware that temperatures over 80 degrees make conditions favorable to heat illness.. Know that excessive humidity reduces a body’s ability to discard surplus heat by perspiring. Prevent heat illness by getting children used to the hot weather. Raise periods of intensity of workouts over the first two weeks and avoid hard work in the first week Have them work out in cooler parts of the day, as morning or early evening. Make sure children rest frequently. Before practice, hydration is strongly recommended. It is very important to have plenty of water on hand during practice. Minors need to drink fluids every 20 minutes while working out, whether thirsty or not. Fluids to avoid are caffeine and anything carbonated. Minors should wear well-ventilated, light-weight and sweat-absorbing.
Whether your teen or your team is doing agility training as a handler or parent, you require to be aware of the seriousness of heat-related ailments. Respect the heat or there could be fatal consequences.