Environmental Considerations

Environmental Stress

How to recognize symptoms or signs

Hyperthermia

NEED GAME PLAN

must manage heat stress appropriately

body gets too hot because it can’t get rid of heat properly

Heat Stress

body struggles to get rid of heat which can cause illness or death

DANGEROUS, CAN DIE

Risks: high temp., humidity, intense exercise, certain clothing

Metabolic Heat Production

exercise makes heat

Bigger muscles =

more heat

Conductive heat exchange

physical contact with objects will result in heat loss or gain

Turf can be hot

Convective Heat Exchange

body heat depends on temperature of circulating medium

Radiant Heat Exchange

Radiant heat from sunshine will cause increase in temperature

long sleeve in heat

Evaporative heat loss

sweating is the main way to cool the body

Heat Stress Methods

Metabolic

Conduction

Convection

Radiation

Evaporation

Sweating reduced

65%

Sweating stops

75%

Staying Hydrated

light yellow urine

Dehydration

Loss of 2% body weight in fluids

Symptoms: thirst, dizziness, dry mouth, fatigue, cramps

How much water does the body need?

2.5 L/day

When to replace fluids

Before, during, after exercise (do not wait for thirst)

Heavy Sweating =

loss of sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium

Gradual Acclimatization

getting used to heat and exercising in heat

best way to avoid heat stress

80% of acclimatization can be achieved during first 5-6 days

Susceptible Individuals

elderly, large body mass, overweight, young, women

Heat Rash (Prickly heat)

red, itchy rash from trapped sweat on skin

not dangerous but uncomfy

Heat Syncope (Heat collapse)

Fainting, fatigue, dizziness from standing in heat too long

Caused by peripheral vasodilation, blood pools into arms/legs and less to head

Heat Cramps

painful spasms from fluid/electrolyte loss

Heat Exhaustion

pale skin, profuse sweating, dizziness, nausea, core temp<105F

Heat Stroke

LIFE THREATENING

hot dry skin >105F

Hypothermia

Cold + wet + wind= higher risk

body shivers until core temp <85F-90F

death risk if temp drops <77F-85F

Higher Altitude

less oxygen→harder performance

Body adaptation to altitude

Faster breathing, higher heart rate, more red blood cells

Natives

best to adapt to altitude

Residents

partially adapt

Visitors

Adjust slowly

Sun exposure

Premature skin aging, skin cancer

60-80% of sun exposure happens before age 20

Lightning Safety

2nd leading weather-related killer

have EMERGENCY ACTION PLAN

seek shelter indoors

Circadian Dysrhythmia (Jet lag)

Caused by rapid travels across time zones

fatigues, headache, digestive disorder

Prevention: rest before travel, hydrate, adjust to local time quickly avoid alcohol

Synthetic Turf

Durable, consistent, usable in bad weather

Cons: debated injury risk, loses shock absorption, possible abrasions