Why is building up to full uniform/padding a good idea in preventing heat illness during practices?

Law Requiring Training in Heat Illness for all California Coaches

On June 1, 2018, AB 2800 - California High School Coaching Education and Training Program: heat illness, was signed into law by Governor Brown that requires coaches when renewing their CPR/FIRST AID, Concussion and Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) certification that they also complete separate training in the signs and symptoms of heat illness. 

A FREE online course “Heat Illness Prevention” is available through the CIF and NFHS, and will satisfy this mandated requirement by California law.

Heat illness is a preventable tragedy. It is imperative that school leaders ensure, that those adults working directly with our students have the knowledge and ability to minimize risks and reduce injuries for the students they serve.

A proper acclimatization plan is essential to minimize the risk of exertional heat illness during the early season practice period. Gradually increasing athletes’ exposure to the duration and intensity of physical activity and to the environment minimizes heat illness risk while improving athletic performance. California has a wide range of environmental factors (beaches, mountains, deserts) that face schools and student-athletes and the acclimatization period is vital to minimize the risk.

WHAT IS HEAT ILLNESS?

Exercise produces heat within the body and can increase an athlete’s body temperature. Add to this a hot or humid day and any barriers to heat loss such as padding and equipment, and the temperature of the individual can become dangerously high. If left untreated, the elevation of core body temperature can cause organ systems to shut down in the body. 

HEAT RELATED ILLNESSES ARE ALL PREVENTABLE

There are several ways to prevent heat illness from occurring:

Adequate Hydration

• The athlete should arrive to practices, games, and in-between exercise sessions well-hydrated to reduce the risk of dehydration
• Water should be freely accessible and water breaks should be given in the shade if available at least every 15-20 minutes and should be long enough to allow athletes to ingest adequate volumes of fluid.  Unnecessary equipment should be removed during breaks.

Gradual Acclimatization

• Intensity and duration of exercise should be gradually increased over a period of 7-14 days to give athletes time to build fitness levels and become accustomed to practicing in the heat.
• Protective equipment should be introduced in phases.

Additional Prevention Measures

• Provide appropriate medical coverage during exercise.
• Encourage hydration status record-keeping.  Athletes can weigh-in before and after practice, ideally in dry undergarments in check hydration status. The amount of fluid lost should be replaced by the next session of activity. An athlete should drink approximately 16 oz of fluid for each kilogram of fluid lost (1 kg = 2.2 lbs).
• Eat a well-balanced diet which aids in replacing lost electrolytes and avoid drinks containing stimulants such as ephedrine or high doses of caffeine.
• Alter practice plans in extreme environmental conditions.  Coaches should be aware of both the temperature and humidity.  The greater the humidity, the more difficult it is for the body to cool itself.  Use one of the heat index tools listed below to determine precautions for athletic activity.  Athletes with heat illness risk factors should be closely supervised during strenuous activities in hot or humid climates. 

IDENTIFICATION AND TREATMENT OF:

Heat Exhaustion

Heat Stroke

Heat Syncope

Exertional Hyponatremia

Heat Cramps

Parent/Student CIF Heat Illness Information Sheet FREE NFHS COURSE - Heat Illness Prevention NFHS Position Statement on Heat Acclimatization and Heat Illness Prevention

NFHS Position Statement and Recommendations for Maintaining Hydration to Optimize Performance and Minimize the Risk for Exertional Heat Illness

Heat Safety Tool - Cell phone app developed by OSHA, CDC, NIOSH to quickly determine the current heat index and relevant precautions

National Weather Service Heat Index

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Exertional Heat Stroke is the leading cause of preventable death in high school athletics. To help you minimize the risk of heat illness at your school, this course has designed to provide the fundamentals of a strong heat acclimatization plan and guidelines for limiting activities to account for changing environmental conditions and other contributing risk factors. It highlights the importance of an appropriate hydration plan and establishing an Emergency Action Plan in case of a suspected exertional heat stroke.

This Course Includes

• Approved for 1 Clock Hour
• Certificate of Completion
• Additional Resources

The NFHS is an accredited institution by Cognia and exceeds the same high standards that are expected from schools across the country.

Learn more

The NFHS Learning Center offers a 3-level national coaching credential that helps you gain knowledge you can use to provide a fun, educational, and a safer environment for your students.
This national credential was developed for individuals who are currently coaching or aspire to coach at the interscholastic level. The goal is to enhance the ability of the coach to better serve students, the school, the community, and the profession of coaching.