Kentucky’s heat, humidity raise risks for high school athletes

LEXINGTON, Ky. (FOX 56) — High school athletes are back on the field preparing for the upcoming season, but experts warn that rising temperatures and humidity can create dangerous conditions during practices.

As physical activity increases, so does the amount of heat produced by the body. Combined with high temperatures and humidity outdoors, that can increase the risk of heat-related illness, experts say.

Dr. Ryan Stanton said one of the biggest risks comes when athletes return to intense workouts after spending much of the summer away from organized practices.

“They really need 1 to 2 weeks of climate of being outdoors, in the heat of really getting ready to be in this type of temperatures and this humidity,” Stanton said.

According to Matthew Smitley, an assistant professor at UK’s College of Health Sciences, heat-related illnesses are most likely to occur during practices and conditioning sessions.

“Nearly 100% of the time, it’s during practice and conditioning,” Smitley said.

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Football players face an especially high risk, with linemen accounting for the vast majority of heat-related illnesses among football players, Smitley said.

The risk is not limited to athletes. Marching band members also spend hours outside in the heat and often wear heavy uniforms that can make it more difficult for the body to cool itself.

Athletic trainers use a wet-bulb globe thermometer to help determine when conditions become unsafe. The device factors in air temperature, humidity and sunlight.

When the reading reaches 85 degrees or higher, experts say coaches and trainers should consider modifying practices.

“So that could be increased water breaks. Maybe that’s that we’re moving indoors. Maybe that’s that we’re moving equipment from football players, or maybe even that we’re changing the style of the activity that’s occurring at practice,” Smitley said.

Experts also warn coaches and athletes to pay close attention to signs of heat-related illness. Mental confusion is one warning sign of heat stroke and requires immediate action.

Stanton said athletes should not be pushed to continue practicing when they are showing signs of heat illness.

“The body starts to break down the proteins and the muscle that you’re trying to build up to begin with,” Stanton said. “So it’s actually hurting your team more than it is helping by trying to force these young athletes to stay active and stay in the practice.”

In cases of severe heat-related illness, doctors recommend cooling the person immediately and seeking emergency medical care.

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