Environmental Factors in Sports Medicine and Athlete Safety

Hyperthermia

Increase in body temperature, critical for athletes.

Heat Stress

Increased risk for certain athletes under heat.

Mechanisms of Heat Loss

Methods include conduction, convection, radiation, evaporation.

Conduction

Heat transfer through direct contact with cooler objects.

Convection

Heat transfer via cooler air or water contact.

Radiation

Heat emitted from body metabolism.

Evaporation

Cooling process through sweating

Heat Index

Combined measure of temperature and humidity.

Psychrometer

Device to measure humidity and temperature.

Heat Syncope

Fainting due to prolonged heat exposure.

Exercise Associated Muscle Cramps

Painful muscle cramps during or after exercise.

Exertional Heat Exhaustion

Condition from inadequate fluid replacement during exercise.

Exertional Heat Stroke

Life-threatening condition from extreme body temperature.

Fluid Replacement

Rehydration every 15 minutes during heat exposure.

Chilblain

Skin reaction from prolonged cold exposure.

Frostnip

Superficial cold injury affecting skin and tissue.

Frostbite

Severe cold injury damaging skin and deeper tissues.

Sun Protection Factor (SPF)

Method for indicating UV exposure duration.

Circadian Dysrhythmia

Disruption of biological clock from time zone changes.

Signs of Heat Exhaustion

Pale skin, dizziness, nausea, elevated temperature.

Signs of Heat Stroke

High body temperature, altered consciousness, less sweating.

Treatment for Heat Stroke

Immediate cooling below 102°F to prevent death.

Cold Disorders

Conditions resulting from exposure to cold temperatures.

Prevention of Heat Illness

Gradual acclimatization and monitoring of athletes.

Athletes at Risk

Includes children, elderly, overweight, and sickle-cell trait.

Monitoring Heat Index

Assessing risk based on temperature and humidity.

Effects of Altitude

Impact on athlete performance and acclimatization.

EAP Importance

Emergency Action Plan for adverse weather conditions.