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RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ATHLECTIC PARTICIPATION IN EXTREME
ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

Purpose:

The purpose of these recommendations is for the prevention, recognition, and treatment of exertional heat illness in athletes. The primary goal of athlete safety is addressed through the prevention and recognition of heat related illnesses and a well-developed plan to evaluate and teat affected athletes. Even with a heat illness prevention plan that includes medical screening, acclimatization, conditioning, environmental monitoring, and suitable practice adjustments, heat illness can and does occur. These recommendations do not guarantee full protection from heat related illness but should decrease the risk during athletic participation. Each high school shall have and use a digital psychrometer to measure the wet bulb temperature (heat index).

General Recommendations:

Ensure that appropriate medical care is available and that rescue personnel are
familiar with exertional heat illness prevention, recognition, and treatment.
Conduct a thorough, physician supervised, pre-participation medical screening
before the season starts.
Adapt athletes to exercise in the heat (acclimatization) gradually over 10-14
days progressively increasing the intensity and duration.
Educate athletes and coaches regarding the prevention, recognition, and
treatment of heat illness.
Educate athletes to match fluid intake with sweat and urine loss to maintain
adequate hydration.
Encourage athletes to get proper rest and eat a well balanced diet, especially
during the acclimatization period. Athletes may require extra sodium during
this time.
Check environmental conditions before and during practice and adjust practice schedules accordingly.
Plan rest breaks to match the environmental conditions and intensity of the
activity.
Make sure fluids are readily available at all times during activity.

Specific Practice Recommendations:

Try to schedule practice sessions to avoid the hottest part of the day (between 10AM and 5PM) especially during the acclimatization period. If activity must take place during this time, use extreme caution in monitoring the athletes and be proactive in taking preventative steps. The most important factors are to limit intensity and duration of activity and duration of activity in extreme heat, limit the amount of clothing and protective equipment worn, increase the number and length of rest breaks, and encourage proper hydration.

The following categories should be observed with regard to the combined temperature / humidity reading and / or wet bulb temperature:

Risk Level / Recommendations

Low- Be alert for those with risk factors

Moderate- Risk may increase as day progresses

High- Everyone should be aware of potential
problems. At risk athletes should be
monitored closely.

Extreme- Consider rescheduling or delaying.
If event must take place be on high
alert.

The following gives specific practice recommendations:

Graph #1 should be used for non-protective equipment wearing sports.
Graph #2 should be used for protective equipment wearing sports (football).

Graph #1

Very High / Extreme Risk:

Consider postponing or delaying event. If event must take place, be on high
alert for problems. Work: (5-10 minute rest every 20 minutes of activity).

High Risk:

Have 5-10 minute rest breaks every 15-20 minutes of activity.

Moderate Risk:

Have 5-10 minute break every 20-30 minutes of activity.

Graph #2

Right of Circles:

Consider postponing or delaying. If practice must take place it should be in shorts
only with no conditioning. Have 5-10 minute rest every 5-10 minutes of activity.

Between Squares and Circles:

Protective gear should be modified (shorts, helmets, should pads only).
Have 5-10 minute rest break every 15-20 minutes of activity.

Between Triangles and Squares:

Have 5-10 minute rest breaks every 20-30 minutes of activity.

All information and recommendations taken from:

National Athletic Trainers Association Position Statement: Exertional Heat Illness

Entire paper can be found for public use on nata.org

Guidelines during an Activity or Exercise

**An unlimited supply of water will be supplied during an activity and accessible
at any time.
**All participants in an outdoor activity should have the opportunity to acclimate to
conditions gradually.
**Participants should be encouraged to drink water during the day before, during, and
after an activity.

HIGH SCHOOL

High Risk

Heat Index above
112 degrees Fahrenheit -- Move inside, late practice, morning
Practice
Heat Index between
110-112 degrees Fahrenheit -- No pads (if applicable), 1.5 hours for practice max,
break of 5-10 minutes for every 20
minutes of activity.

Moderate Risk

Heat Index between
105-109 degrees Fahrenheit -- Break of 5-10 minutes for every 20 minutes of
activity, Helmet and shoulder pads off during break
(if applicable).
Heat Index between
100-104 degrees Fahrenheit -- Break of 5-10 minutes for every 30 minutes of
activity, Helmet and shoulder pads off during break
(if applicable).

Low Risk

Heat index below
100 degrees Fahrenheit -- Normal practice but use caution and closely monitor
activity.

MIDDLE SCHOOL

High Risk

Heat Index between
110-112 degrees Fahrenheit -- Move inside, late practice, morning
practice, cancel

Heat Index between
105-109 degrees Fahrenheit -- No pads (if applicable), 1.5 hours for
practice max, break of 5-10 minutes for
every 20 minutes of activity.

Moderate Risk

Heat Index between
100-104 degrees Fahrenheit -- Break of 5-10 minutes for every 20
minutes of activity, helmet and shoulder
pads off during break (if applicable).
Heat Index between
95-99 degrees Fahrenheit -- Break of 5-10 minutes for every 30
minutes of activity, Helmet and shoulder
pads off during break (if applicable).

Low Risk

Heat index below
95 degrees Fahrenheit -- Normal Practice but use caution and closely
Monitor activity.

NOTE: Any Directives given from the Central Office must be followed.