Young Athletes Tolerate Heat if Hydrated
The American Academy of Pediatrics has some good news for parents who worry about their children training for sports on hot days.
Researchers now believe that children can tolerate heat stress as well as adults if they stay properly hydrated. A previous policy statement from the AAP suggested that children reacted differently to heat stress.
“Most healthy children and athletes can safely participate in outdoor sports and activities in a wide range of warm to hot weather, but adults sometimes create situations that are potentially dangerous,” said Dr. Stephen Rice, co-author of the policy statement. “Heat illness is entirely preventable if coaches and other adults take some precautions to protect the young athletes.”
Indeed, coaches, parents and other adults need to use common sense and appropriate measure to keep kids out of danger when they start training for sports such as football and soccer outside in the heat, according to a press release from the AAP.
“Athletic directors, coaches, teachers and other adults who are overseeing children exercising in the heat should make themselves aware of ways to reduce the risk of heat illness, and they should develop an emergency action plan,” said Dr. Cynthia Devore, co-author of the AAP statement. “This is especially important as we head into high school preseason football.”
In its revised policy statement, the AAP makes several recommendations to avoid heat illness:
- Provide training for coaches and trainers
- Ensure staff have training to treat heat illness
- Educate children about preparing for the heat
- Allow children to gradually adapt to activities in the heat
- Make sure children drink enough fluids before, during and after exercise
- Modify activity as needed given the heat and limitations of individual athletes
- Cancel or reschedule practices and games if it’s too hot
- Limit participation of children who have been sick
- Develop an emergency action plan
Alice Warchol is a fitness instructor and freelance health writer
Source: American Academy of Pediatrics
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