Environmental Conditions and Athletic Safety Flashcards

Flashcards covering environmental conditions, heat illnesses, cold injuries, altitude sickness, sun overexposure, lightning safety, and air pollution based on lecture notes.

How does conductive heat exchange occur?

Conductive heat exchange occurs through physical contact with an object, resulting in either heat loss or heat gain.

What relative humidity levels impact evaporative heat loss, and what are their effects?

A relative humidity of $65\%$ impairs heat loss through evaporation, while a relative humidity of $75\%$ completely stops evaporation.

What fluid intake is recommended for athletes 2 to 3 hours prior to activity?

Athletes should consume $17\text{ to }20\,\text{fl oz}$ of water or sports drink $2\text{ to }3\,\text{hours}$ prior to activity.

How long does a gradual acclimatization program take, and what fraction is achieved during the first 5 to 6 days?

Gradual acclimatization takes a $7\text{ to }10\,\text{day}$ period, with $80\%$ achieved during the first $5\text{ to }6\,\text{days}$ using 2-hour morning and afternoon practice sessions.

By how much do deaths from heat stroke increase as body weight increases?

Deaths from heat stroke increase at a ratio of $4:1$ as body weight increases.

What percentage loss in body weight post-practice represents a health threat requiring removal from practice?

A body weight loss greater than $2\%$ ($>2\%$) represents a health threat, requiring the athlete to be removed from practice until normal weight is restored.

What causes heat syncope (heat collapse), and how is it treated?

It is caused by peripheral vasodilation or pooling of blood in extremities during long periods of standing or heat exposure. Treatment involves placing the athlete in a cool environment, consuming fluids, and laying down.

How do core body temperatures compare between exertional heat exhaustion and exertional heatstroke?

Exertional heat exhaustion presents with a core/rectal temperature of $<105^\circ\text{F}$, whereas exertional heatstroke presents with a core temperature of $>104^\circ\text{F}$ accompanied by CNS dysfunction.

What key principle must be followed before transporting a patient with exertional heatstroke to a hospital?

The athlete must be cooled first before being transported ("cool first, transport second").

Based on this clinical comparison chart, what key signs distinguish heat exhaustion from heat stroke?

Heat exhaustion presents with dizziness, headache, profuse sweating, cool clammy skin, and normal/slightly elevated temperature. Heat stroke presents with disorientation, unconsciousness, hot dry skin (no sweat in later stages), and markedly increased body temperature.

What medical test is required to detect malignant hyperthermia?

A muscle biopsy is needed to detect malignant hyperthermia.

What physical signs and urinalysis findings characterize acute exertional rhabdomyolysis?

Characterized by gradual muscle weakness, swelling, and pain, accompanied by dark urine due to myoglobin and enzyme leakage into the vascular system.

How do muscle signs differ during exertional sickling compared to heat cramping?

In exertional sickling, muscle pain and weakness occur without visible or palpable spasms and muscles feel normal to the touch, whereas heat cramping produces visible and palpable muscle spasms.

What causes exertional hyponatremia?

It is caused by ingesting too much fluid before, during, and after exercise, or by having too little sodium in the diet during prolonged exercise.

What percentage of body heat is lost through radiation versus evaporation?

$65\%$ of body heat is lost through radiation (with $50\%$ coming from the head and neck), and $20\%$ is lost through evaporation.

At what core body temperatures does shivering stop, and at what temperature is death imminent during hypothermia?

Shivering stops when core body temperature drops below $85\text{ to }90^\circ\text{F}$, and death is imminent when temperature falls below $77\text{ to }85^\circ\text{F}$.

How should frost nip be treated, and what action should strictly be avoided?

Treat by applying firm pressure, blowing warm air, or placing fingers in armpits. Rubbing the affected area must strictly be avoided.

What water temperature range is recommended for re-warming deep frostbite?

Gradual re-warming requires water temperatures between $100^\circ\text{F}$ and $110^\circ\text{F}$ ($100\text{ to }110^\circ\text{F}$).

How does high altitude affect maximum oxygen uptake and how does the body compensate?

Maximum oxygen uptake decreases as altitude increases; the body compensates acutely through tachycardia and hyperventilation.

What causes Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS)?

AMS is caused by brain disruption associated with a sodium-potassium imbalance resulting in fluid retention and cellular pressure changes.

At what altitude range does Altitude Pulmonary Edema occur, and how is it treated?

It occurs at $9000\text{ to }10000\,\text{feet}$, and is treated by moving the athlete to a lower altitude and providing oxygen.

How is the flash-to-bang method calculated to estimate the distance of a lightning storm?

Count the seconds from when lightning is sighted until thunder is heard, then divide by $5$ to calculate the distance in miles.

According to NATA and National Weather Service recommendations, how long should play be suspended after lightning or thunder?

Athletes should wait $30\,\text{minutes}$ following the last clap of thunder or lightning strike before returning to the field.

How is ground-level ozone produced, and what symptoms can it cause in athletes?

Ozone is formed by the action of sunlight on carbon-based chemicals (hydrocarbons) combined with nitrogen dioxides. Symptoms include shortness of breath, coughing, chest tightness, pain with deep breathing, nausea, eye irritation, fatigue, and lung irritation.