Environmental Considerations

Question 1

Heat Stress

Answer 1

Is preventable, the body must be able to dissipate heat to maintain homeostasis

Question 2

Metabolic Heat Production

Answer 2

normal metabolic function results in production of heat

Question 3

Conductive Heat Exchange

Answer 3

physical contact with objects resulting in heat loss or gain

Question 4

Convective Heat Exchange

Answer 4

body heat can be lost or gained depending on circulation of medium

Question 5

radiant heat exchange

Answer 5

sunshine will cause an increase in temperature

Question 6

evaporative heat loss

Answer 6

lose 1 quart of water per hour for up to 2 hours

Question 7

Humidity effects

Answer 7

• relative humidity of 65% impairs evaporation

- relative humidity of 75% stops evaporation

Question 8

Preventing Heat Illness

Answer 8

• use common sense and precaution

- hydration

Question 9

Dehydration

Answer 9

occurs when 2% of body weight is lost in fluid

- will impair cardiovascular and thermoregulatory

Question 10

Signs of Dehydration

Answer 10

• thirst
• dizziness
• dry mouth
• irritability
• excessive fatigue
• possible cramps

Question 11

How do you treat an athlete with dehydration?

Answer 11

• move them to a cool environment
• begin re-hydration
• return to activity only after fluid wt. loss has been regained and symptoms cease.

Question 12

Fluid & Electrolyte Replacement

Answer 12

• body requires 2.5 L of water daily when engaged in minimal activity
• adult will typically lose about 1.5L/hour

Question 13

NCAA Mandated Guidelines (FB)

Answer 13

Day 1: only one practice a day (equipment restrictions)
Days 1 & 2: Helmets only
Days 3 & 4: Helmets and shoulder pads only
Day 5: Full pads
After day 5: twice a day every other day*

Question 14

How do you identify susceptible individuals?

Answer 14

• athletes with large muscle mass
• overweight athletes
• young or elderly

Question 15

Weight records

Answer 15

• measured for the first two weeks
• A >2% loss of body weight during activity is a health risk
• remove from activity until normal weight returns/is hydrated

Question 16

Monitoring Heat Index

Answer 16

monitor heat, sunshine, humidity

Question 17

Wet bulb globe temperature index

Answer 17

• dry bulb (standard mercury)
• wet bulb (thermometer with wet gauze, swung in air)
• black bulb (black casing that measures radiant heat)

Question 18

Heat Illnesses

Answer 18

• Heat rash
• Heat Syncope
• Heat Cramps
• Exertional Heat Exhaustion

Question 19

Heat Rash

Answer 19

• prickly heat
• red, raised rash
• result of being continuously wet from un-evaporated sweat
• generally in areas covered with clothing

Question 20

How to treat heat rash

Answer 20

keep skin dry
towels
powder

Question 21

Heat Syncope

Answer 21

• standing in heat for long periods of time
• fatigue
• overexposure to sun
• dizzy
• fainting
• caused by peripheral vasodilation or pooling of blood in extremities
• get athlete to cool, dry area, consume fluids, elevate legs

Question 22

Heat Cramps

Answer 22

• painful muscle spasms due to excessive water loss and electrolyte imbalance
• result of overexertion in a hot environment
• occurs primarily in calf and abdomen

Question 23

Exertional Heat Exhaustion

Answer 23

• result of inadequate fluid placement

- unable to sustain adequate cardiac output

Question 24

Signs of Exertional Heat Exhaustion

Answer 24

profuse sweating
pale skin
mildly elevated temperature
dizziness
nausea, vomiting or diarrhea
hyperventilation
muscle cramping 
loss of coordination

Question 25

Heat Exhaustion

Answer 25

- may develop heat cramps - may become faint and/or dizzy - core temperature will be less than 104 degrees***

Question 26

treatmetn for heat exhaustion

Answer 26

- fluid ingestion - place in cool environment - remove excess clothing - monitor vital signs - must be cleared by a physician - can progress to heat stroke if not treated

Question 27

Exertional Heatstroke

Answer 27

serious life-threatening condition - breakdown of thermoregulatory system - sudden collapse - flushed hot skin, minimal sweating - shallow breathing - strong rapid pulse - core temperature of > 104 degrees

Question 28

How to treat Heat Stroke

Answer 28

- strip clothing - sponge with cool water - use ice packs - call 911/transport to hospital immediately - cool first, transport second - most likely be unconscious

Question 29

Cold water immersion

Answer 29

- dunk tank should be 36-68 degrees - goal is to reduce the core temperature to at least 102 degrees - survival rate of athletes treated with cold water immersion is 100%

Question 30

Malignant Hyperthermia

Answer 30

- rare, genetic muscle disorder causing hypersensitivity to anesthesia and extreme exercise in hot environment - athletes will complain of muscle pain after exercise - elevated temperature 10-15 mins after exercise - disqualification from hot, humid events

Question 31

Acute Exertional Rhabdomyolysis

Answer 31

- sudden catabolic destruction and degeneration of skeletal muscle - occurs during intense exercise in heat/humidity

Question 32

Signs of acute exertional rhabdomyolysis

Answer 32

- gradual muscle weakness, swelling, pain, dark urine, renal dysfunction - can lead to sudden collapse, renal failure and death - associated sickle cell trait

Question 33

exertional hyponatremia

Answer 33

- fluid/electrolyte disorder resulting in abnormally low concentration of sodium in blood - caused by ingesting too much fluid before and after exercise

Question 34

signs of exertional hyponatremia

Answer 34

- progressively worsening headache, nausea, vomiting - swelling of hands and feet, lethargy, apathy or agitation - low blood sodium

Question 35

Athletes who intentionally lose weight

Answer 35

- predispose themselves to heat related injuries that could create life-threatening situations - weight loss should not be accomplished through dehydration - NCAA est. guidelines for weight loss in wrestling