ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS

1
ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS

• Chapter 10

2
Introduction

• Environmental stress can impose a serious health
  risk to the athlete, and must be taken seriously
  by those responsible for their health. Those
  categories of environmental stress which are of
  concern in this chapter include hyperthermia and
  hypothermia, the effects of altitude, sun
  exposure, electrical storms, air pollution, and
  circadian dysrhythmia.

3
HYPERTHERMIA

• Football players and distance runners die each
  fall from heat related stress.
• Heat stress (illness) is preventable. It occurs
  when the bodys ability to dissipate heat is
  impaired. Heat illness can manifest itself in a
  variety of conditions
• heat rash heat exhaustion
• heat syncope heatstroke
• heat cramps

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TYPES OF HEAT ILLNESS

• Heat Rash
• Heat Syncope
• Heat Cramps
• Heat Exhaustion
• Heat Stroke

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Heat Stroke

• Heat stroke is a serious, life-threatening
  emergency. Heatstroke can occur suddenly and
  without warning
• Symptoms sudden collapse loss of
  consciousness flushed, hot skin shallow
  breathing rapid pulse and most importantly, a
  core temp. of 106 or higher.
• Treatment lower temp. immediately, and treat as
  a medical emergency

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Preventing Heat Illness

• Fluid and Electrolyte Replacement
• Gradual Acclimatization
• Identifying Susceptible Individuals
• Uniforms
• Weight Records
• Temperature and Humidity Readings
• Recommendations for Football (p. 270)

7
Hypothermia

• Background - conditions which produce a cold
  environment in combination with low wind-chill
  factor and dampness, may lead to hypothermia
  during physical activity.
• Prevention of Hypothermia - adequate clothing,
  keep dry, avoid fatigue, and stay properly
  hydrated. Common sense.
• Treatment - warmth, rest, and keep dry.

8
Additional Environmental Conditions

• Altitude Problems
• Prevention of Sunburn and Overexposure
• Skin Cancer
• Sunscreens
• Electrical Storms
• Air Pollution
• Circadian Dysrhythmia (jet lag)
• Artificial Turf

9
Summary

• Heat stress is a serious threat
• Prevention and care of heat stress should be a
  constant concern of athletic trainers
• Hypothermia is an unlikely threat in most sports,
  but can become a serious threat
• High altitude training, air pollution, and
  circadian dysrhythmia can affect the athlete
• Artificial turf has special injury problems