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Should I worry about heat-related problems in young athletes?
I read about the tragic heat-related deaths of several college and professional football players. My son plays youth football. Should I be concerned?
It is unfortunate that in the past several years we have seen some heat-related deaths in college and professional football. And, yes, when it is hot and humid whether we live in Michigan or Florida, this is definitely something we should be concerned about with young athletes. This does not mean that kids should not be participating in sports like soccer, tennis or football. Rather, we need to make sure they are practicing safely by not over doing it in hot and humid weather and making sure they are drinking enough water and/or sports drinks.Anytime the body burns energy, like during strenuous physical activity, heat is produced and must be released. This is chiefly done through perspiration. Heat related illnesses occur under conditions of moderate to high temperature and high humidity. The problem that happens is that we can’t release the heat fast enough, the high humidity causes one to sweat so much our body’s water supply becomes depleted, and/or the high temperature and humidity makes heat release more inefficient than normal. In short, when engaged in physical activity under high heat and humidity conditions the body cooks if one is not careful.
Heat release in high temperature and humidity conditions is even more pronounced in children. Because children are smaller than adults they have less body surface to release heat. Children also don’t sweat as much as well. Finally, it takes children more time to get used to or acclimate to the heat. So we want to be extra careful when children are involved.
Sports medicine experts recommend the following. First, check both temperature and humidity to determine the heat index (it is not just the temperature that is a concern—different combinations of heat and humidity can create dangerous conditions). Second, when dangerous heat and humidity situations occur (moderately high or high heat and high humidity) modify or curtail practice activities. Third, have the young athletes take frequent water breaks and be sure that they drink plenty of fluids during practice. In fact, they should drink a good deal before coming to practice. It also important to remember that the thirst mechanism is inaccurate so the young athletes need to drink even when they are not thirsty. Finally, in sports like football where a great deal of equipment covers the body (and makes heat release more difficult) encourage the players to take their helmets off (the head is a primary area for heat release) when not playing and consider non-contact practices in shorts and t-shirts, without pads.
We must also teach children that not giving up and emitting a high effort on the field (being mentally tough) is important for athletic success. However, this does not mean you don’t tell your coach when the heat is affecting you or that taking water breaks and resting on high heat and humidity days is a sign of mental weakness. As children become more involved in sport they must learn to balance being mentally tough with being smart about their health! As recent cases in professional football have shown, not doing so can have deadly consequences.
Daniel Gould, Ph.D.
Director, Institute for the Study of Youth Sports
