Speed exercises in the summer means high temperatures and your youngsters or teens will be playing and practicing outdoors. Thus, young athletes do not adapt to hot weather like adults. Don’t underestimate the significance of the warning signs for heat illnesses and preventing them. These illnesses consist of any of the following, heat exhaustion, heat stroke and heat cramps. Whether your child or your team is doing strength training workouts as a coach, or parent, you want to be aware of the seriousness of heat-related illnesses. In actuality, heat illness can be more dangerous to youngsters. Heat stroke has an incredibly high death rate for children, 17-70%. The factors associated are the child’s age and the severity of the illness.
Children suffer heat-related illnesses when their bodies can not compensate for the heat and cool itself. Youngsters are more vulnerable to heat related illnesses because they don’t adapt as fast or as well to heat changes as do adults and they also create additional warmth with activeness. Children are more at risk to heat illness since they can’t adapt as quickly or as well to changes in temperatures. In addition, they produce extra heat with activity. Young athletes perspire less than adults and they do so at a higher body temperature.. Those kids, whom are heavy, have continuing illnesses and take a number of medications are even more susceptible to high heat conditions during practice.
INDICATORS
Heat Cramps – agonizing, involuntary muscle contractions, generally in the gastrocnemius or hamstring tissues (the muscles at the back of the calves and thighs)
Dehydration – fatigue, thirst, lightheadedness, less-frequent urination, sloppiness, heightened heart rate and respiration, dry skin, dry mouth and mucous membranes
Heat Exhaustion – clammy, pale skin, sweating, tiredness (fatigue), pounding head and or vertigo
Heat Stroke – Loss of consciousness, confusion or hallucinations, headache, agitation, high body temperature, absence of sweaty, deep or shallow breathing, weak pulse rate, seizures|
PREVENTATIVE MEASURES
Be conscious that temperatures over 80 degrees produce conditions favorable to heat sickness. It also important to know that excessive humidity reduces your body’s ability to release excess heat by perspiring. In order to prevent this illness acclimate the child to the heat, increase intensity over 10-14 days, no heavy work for the first week Have them work out in cooler parts of the day, as morning or early evening. Ensure youngsters take rest periods. Have youngsters drink fluids before working out. Make sure plenty of water is available during work outs. Whether or not they are thirsty, young athletes should hydrate every 20 min. when practicing. Liquids to keep away from are caffeine and everything carbonated. As far as clothing is concerned, children should wear lightweight and ventilated clothing.
If your teenager or your team is doing speed and agility training as a trainer or parent, you need to be aware of the gravity of heat-related sickness. Respect the hot temperatures or there could be fatal consequences.
