A Guide to Heat Acclimatization and Heat Illness Prevention

A Guide to Heat Acclimatization and Heat Illness Prevention

As we head into the fall preseason, this is a gentle, but forceful reminder to be mindful of the heat, and of the risks associated with summer-time athletic participation. As elected members of the Federated Council your leadership is essential in communicating that Administrators, Athletic Directors, Coaches, Parents and Students pay close attention to the resources such as the Guidelines and Recommendations contained in the following NFHS Sports Medicine Advisory Committee (SMAC) "Heat Acclimatization and Heat Illness Prevention Position Statement":

 
 
Similar guidelines and recommendations have also been published by the National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA), and the Korey Stringer Institute:
 
 
Also, remember that this is not just a football issue. Anyone participating in the heat is vulnerable to heat illness, including participants in activities such as marching band and even volleyball players practicing in a hot gym. It is crucial that the heat acclimatizing guidelines are strictly followed as published and extra vigilance is placed on the first 3-4 days of the two week acclimatization period.  This is the time when our young athletes are most vulnerable to the heat.  Please help protect these students from a potentially deadly condition.

 

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