Agility training in the summer means climbing temperatures and your youngsters or teens will be playing and practicing in the heat. Consequently, children do not adapt to the heat as well as adults. It is also imperative to be know how to prevent heat illness and be aware of the warning signs. These ailments can consist of 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, youngsters are the most vulnerable to heat illness. The mortality rate for children having heat stroke is 17 to 70%. The factors associated are the child’s age and the severity of the illness.
Children experience heat-related unwellness when their bodies are unable to offset and properly cool themselves. Young people are more susceptible to heat illness because they can’t adjust as quickly or as well to changes in temperatures as do adults. They also generate additional heat with activity. Youngsters also perspire at a greater body temperature plus they sweat less than adults. For obese kids who have constant illnesses are more susceptible to hot weather when exercising outdoors.
NOTE
Heat Cramps – painful, involuntary muscle spasms, usually in the gastrocnemius or hamstring muscles (the muscles at the back of the calves and thighs)
Dehydration – weariness, thirstiness, wooziness, less-recurrent urination, confusion, escalated heart rate and breathing, dehydrated skin, dry mouth and mucous membranes
Heat Exhaustion – clammy, pale skin, sweating, dry mouth, tiredness (fatigue), headache and or dizziness
Heat Stroke – loss of knowingness, disarray or hallucinations, headache, agitation, high body temperature, absence of diaphoresis, deep or shallow breathing, weakly pulse rate, seizures
STEPS TO PREVENT
Be mindful that temperatures over 80 degrees make conditions favorable to heat condition. Know that high humidity lessens a body’s capacity to release excess heat through perspiration. Avoid illness by getting young people acclimated to the high temperatures. Workout intensity should slowly increase over the first two weeks with no strenuous work in week one. Have them work out in cooler parts of the day, as morning or early evening. Make sure young people rest often. Before practice, hydration is strongly recommended. It is very important to have plenty of water on hand during practice. Minors need to drink fluids every 20 minutes while working out, whether thirsty or not. Fluids to keep away from are caffeine and anything carbonated. Minors should wear well-ventilated, light-weight and sweat-absorbing.
Whether or not your child or your team is doing agility training as a manager or parent, you need to be aware of the gravity of heat-related sickness. Respect the hot temperatures or there could be catastrophic consequences.
