Environmental Considerations(1)

8/3/2019 Environmental Considerations(1)

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Environmental

ConsiderationsSeptember 26, 2011


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Hyperthermia

Condition in which body temperature is elevated.

Vital that you have a knowledge when heat &

humidity reach dangerous levels

Must also recognize and properly manage heat-

related illnesses

Physiological processes in the body will continue to

function only as long as body temp is maintainedwithin a normal range


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Heat is Gained or Lost Through: Metabolic heat production

Heat produced within your body as a result of metabolicfunction

As intensity of the activity increases, metabolism increases;

therefore, body heat increases Conductive heat exchange

Physical contact with other objects can result in heat loss orgain

Ex: Artificial turf

Convective heat exchange Occurs when a mass of air or water moves around an individual Ex: Cool breeze tends to cool the body OR hot tub tends to

heat the body


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Cont

Radiant heat exchange Heat from sunshine that causes an increase in

body temperature Evaporative heat loss

Sweating and the resultant evaporation is critical

for an athlete to dissipate heat

Humidity above 65% makes this difficult for the

body


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Prevention of Heat Illnesses

Appropriate hydration

Unrestricted fluid and electrolyte replacement

Gradual acclimatization Identifying susceptible individuals

Wear lightweight clothing

Keeping routine weight charts

Routine temperature and humidity readings


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NCAA Mandated Guidelines forAcclimatization in Preseason Football

Day 1-5 Only one practice per day equipment use restricted

Days 1 and 2 Helmets only

Days 3 and 4 Helmets & shoulder pads only

Day 5 Full pads

After Day 5 Two-a-day practices every otherday


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Heat Rash aka Prickly Heat Condition associated with a red, raised rash accompanied with

sensations of prickling and tingling during sweating Occurs when the skin is continuously wet with unevaporated

sweat The perspiration damages cells on the surface of the skin,

forming a barrier and trapping sweat beneath the skin, where itbuilds up, causing the characteristic bumps.

As the bumps burst and sweat is released, you may feel theprickly, or stinging, sensation that gives this condition itscommon name.

Usually localized to skin that is covered with clothing


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Prickly Heat or Heat Rash


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Heat Syncope

Usually caused by standing in the heat.

Causes a pooling of blood in the

extremities Results in dizziness, fainting & nausea.

Relieved by laying the athlete down in a

cool environment & replacing fluids


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Heat Cramps Painful muscle spasms that occur in the calf and abdomen Related to the excessive loss of water and electrolytes

especially sodium (these are all essential elements in musclecontraction)

Causes an imbalance between water & electrolytes More likely to get cramps if you are in good condition but not

acclimatized to the heat. Can be prevented by adequate replacement of electrolytes.

Treatment is large quantities of fluids (sports drinks) &stretching with ice massage.

Warning: Cramping is likely to recur if they cont activity


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Heat Exhaustion

Condition where dehydration causes an

inability to sustain adequate cardiac output

and cannot continue intense exercise Rectal temperature of < 104 & no

evidence of CNS dysfunction

Symptoms include pale skin, profusesweating, stomach cramps with nausea,

vomiting, diarrhea, headache, persistent

muscle cramps and/or dizziness


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Treatment for Heat Exhaustion

Immediate removal from activity & heat

Shelter in shade or air-conditioned building

Clothing and equipment should be removed & lie down

with legs elevated

Rehydration should begin as long as athlete is not

nauseated or vomiting

Possible IV fluids may be needed

HR, BP & Core temp should continually be monitored

If rapid improvement does not happen, they should be

taken to the ER.


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Heatstroke Serious, life-threatening emergency and is induced

by strenuous physical exercise and increasedenvironmental heat stress

Characterized by CNS abnormalities & potentialtissue damage. Results from a significantly elevated body

temperature. Can produce severe physiological dysfunction that

can ultimately result in death Can occur suddenly & without warning.


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Symptoms of Heatstroke

Altered consciousness, seizures, confusion, emotional

instability, irrational behavior

Rectal temp is >104

Hot, flushed skin & may or may not sweat (25% of thecases dont have much sweating involved)

Shallow, fast breathing

Rapid, strong pulse

Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea

Headache, dizziness or weakness

BP & dehydration


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Treatment of Heatstroke

Body temperature must be lowered to normal as soon as

possible

Key is aggressive and immediate whole-body cooling

Get athlete into a cool environment, strip off all clothingand immerse into a cold water bath.

Try to lower rectal temp to 101

Get the athlete to the hospital as soon as possible

However, it is imperative to cool the athlete FIRST, then

can be transported second.


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Exertional Hyponatremia

Condition involving a fluid/electrolyte disorder thatresults in an abnormally low sodium concentrationin the blood.

Caused by ingesting too much fluid OR by havingtoo little sodium in the diet

Do not attempt to rehydrate Should be transported to a medical facility Delivery of sodium, diuretics or IV fluids may be

necessary


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Symptoms of Hyponatremia

Gastrointestinal discomfort Nausea and vomiting

Progessively worsening headache Restlessness Swelling of the hands & feet

Lethargy, apathy or agitation Confusion


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Hypothermia

Caused by three factors: Low temperatures Wind

Dampness Prevention

Adequate clothing. Ex: Warm-up suits, hats, gloves Good warm-up

Hydration Why? If youre dehydrated, you have decreased blood volume

which means less fluid is available for warming the tissues.


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Cold Injuries

Damp, freezing cold can cause frost nip.

Dry, freezing cold causes frostbite.

Ice crystals can form within cells in below-freezing temperatures.

These crystals can eventually destroy the

cell.


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Frost Nip

Affects ears, nose, cheeks, chin, fingers &

toes.

Skin will appear very firm with cold,painless areas.

May peel in 24-72 hours.

Treatment is firm, sustained pressure (norubbing) or blowing hot breath on the spot.


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Frostnip


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Frostnip


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Frostbite

Three levels Chilblains

Abnormal skin reaction to the cold

Skin redness, swelling, tingling & pain in toes & fingers Can last for a few daysbut not a dangerous condition

Superficial Involves only the skin and subcutaneous tissue.

Skin appears pale, hard, cold & waxy. During rewarming, the area will feel numb, then sting &

burn.


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Chilblains


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Superficial Frostbite


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Frostbite cont.

Three types cont. Deep

Serious injury where tissues are frozen

It is a medical emergency that requireshospitalization Tissue is initially cold, hard, pale and numb. Rapid rewarming is essential (hot drinks, heating

pads or hot water bottles) During rewarming, the tissue will be red, swollen &

extremely painful. Tissue may become gangrenous, causing a loss of

tissue.


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Deep Frostbite


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Treatment of frostbite

Rewarming is essential

Do NOT rub the area

Do NOT use direct heat such as a heating pad Do NOT disturb blisters

Immerse area in warm water

Wrap the affected parts in sterile dressings

Do NOT smoke or drink alcohol during thawing


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Altitude Considerations

Depending on the altitude, there is a

decrease in the maximum oxygen uptake.

This decrease causes a deterioration inathletic performance.

The body may compensate by increasing

your heart rate.


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Altitude Sicknesses

Pulmonary Edema

Sickle-Cell Trait Reaction

Acute Mountain Sickness 1 out of 3 individuals who go from low to

moderate altitude (7000-8000 ft) will get this

Sx include headache, nausea, vomiting, sleep

disturbances & dyspnea


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Lightning

#2 cause of weather related deaths ~ 110 deaths per year.

An indoor facility is the best protection. Second best is a car. Prior to a strike, you may feel your hair

stand on end and your skin tingle. You should immediately assume a

crouched position. DO NOT LIE FLAT!


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Lightning cont. Lightning is always accompanied by thunder Flash-to-bang method:

From the time you see lightning, count the number of secondsuntil you hear thunder.

Divide this number by 5. This tells you how many miles awaythe lightning is.

If the number of seconds is 30 or less, you are in danger. When the count is 15 or less, everyone should leave the field. 30 minutes should pass after the last sound of thunder or strike

of lightning before allowing competition to resume.

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Environmental Considerations(1)