Taskforce Guidelines on Pre-Season Heat-Acclimatization in Secondary School Athletics Gaining Momentum Across the Country

Tuesday, March 20, 2012
DALLAS, March 20, 2012 – In a continued effort to reduce the incidence of exertional heat illness among young athletes, the National Athletic Trainers’ Association announced today that Georgia is the latest state to adopt recommendations from the NATA-spearheaded Inter-Association Task Force on Preseason Heat-Acclimatization Guidelines for Secondary School Athletics. In just the past year, Connecticut, New Jersey, Texas and North Carolina have followed this trend.
 
The Georgia High School Association, Georgia Athletic Trainers’ Association, National Federation of State High School Associations Foundation and NATA Research & Education Foundation in part funded a University of Georgia three-year study that looked at the rate of exertional heat illnesses in 25 high schools throughout the state directed by Michael S. Ferrara, PhD, ATC, associate dean of research at UGA and Bud Cooper, EdD, ATC, CSCS, associate head, Department of Kinesiology. The study was initially presented at the NATA Annual Meeting in June 2011 and to the GHSA football rules subcommittee in January 2012. This research led GHSA to consider the NATA task force guidelines.
 
“Exertional heat illness deaths are preventable with proper acclimatization of the athlete, recognition of the condition and immediate and rapid cooling when heat stroke occurs,” said NATA President Marjorie J. Albohm, MS, ATC. “We are pleased to see that states across the country are reviewing these important guidelines and we will continue to work with high school associations and other groups to encourage adoption of this vital information.”
 
The “Preseason Heat-Acclimatization Guidelines for Secondary School Athletics” consensus statement was published in the June 2009 issue of the Journal of Athletic Training, the association’s scientific publication.
 
“These guidelines are critical to the safety of young athletes at any level of play,” added consensus statement task force co-chair and University of Connecticut’s Korey Stringer Institute Chief Operating Officer Douglas J. Casa, PhD, ATC. “Allowing the body to gradually adjust to temperature and level of physical activity will result in improved performance and reduced risk of injury.”
 
“The Georgia High School Association is committed to protecting the health and safety of its student athletes,” added Executive Director Ralph Swearngin, who oversaw the passage of the recommendations at the GHSA board meeting. “We know that the biggest risk for heat illness is during the first two weeks of practice and that it is essential to establish guidelines that allow for gradual acclimatization of the student athlete to the environment and physical activity.”
 
“The NFL and NCAA already have instituted preseason guidelines for acclimatization and the policy changes have been well accepted by coaches and athletes alike,” said Ferrara. “Our previous research also shows the heat illness rates are highest in the southeast.”  
 
“KSI is currently assisting 10 states that are reviewing their heat recommendations,” noted Casa. “We are excited to be at the forefront of this vital health trend.”
 
Highlights of Task Force Recommendations Adopted by GHSA
 
The Georgia state association’s guidelines will now require that the first week of practice be single sessions with a maximum length of two hours. Athletes will only be permitted to wear helmets. During the second week, teams can start two-a-day practices but they cannot have consecutive double sessions on the subsequent day: a double practice day must now be followed by a single session day. There has to be at least three hours of rest between sessions on a double session day and double day sessions cannot exceed five hours of practice time.   During the second week, full equipment may be included during practice sessions. In addition, equipment modification and work/rest ratios will be implemented as heat stress increases.
 
The GHSA previously had a policy that every school was required to monitor the environment, but there was no guideline as to the type of device used to measure weather conditions, the length of practice duration or the number of practice sessions. In addition there were no guidelines dictating these items as they relate to acclimatization or heat stress. 
 
“We wanted to develop a policy that would be practical and allow student athletes exposure to the environmental conditions but be as safe as possible,” said Swearngin.  “We are confident that we are taking the right steps and passing the right measures to provide the best care for our young athletes.”
 
The researchers used the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) Index, which is a measure of air temperature, humidity and radiant temperature. The scale is broken into categories on how to modify activity. Results showed that there is an increase in the number of exertional heat injuries when the WBGT reaches about 82 degrees. Researchers’ modifications to the scale include an increase in rest breaks, hydration periods, equipment modifications and duration of practice as heat stress rises. “This provides schools, medical staff and coaches with flexibility in designing their practice to be as safe as possible,” added Cooper.
 
“Putting these protocols into place is vital to the continued well-being of student athletes in Georgia and across the country,” said Albohm. “We know there is still much work ahead to ensure all states have appropriate guidelines and sports safety legislation.”
 
March is National Athletic Training Month with the theme “Athletic Trainers Save Lives.”