Protecting High School Football Players in The Summer

Posted on | July 15, 2009 | Comments Off on Protecting High School Football Players in The Summer

6 Things Parents of Kids in Summer Football Practice Should Know

My first introduction to the dangers of over-exercise and under-hydration in the heat came in 1988, in my first job as a hospital administrator. I was at an academic setting in Western Massachusetts when we received a request to admit 35 police cadets for evaluation after several cadets had suffered organ failure following training at the police academy site in the region. At the time, it was unclear what had happened, and a wide range of possibilities including infectious and toxic causes were considered.

What became clear fairly quickly was that the cause was quite simple. These young cadets, anxious to be accepted by the state police, had been rigorously exercised in high heat conditions without adequate fluid hydration. The result was severe illness for nearly twenty and death for one.¹ It was big news back then because our Governor, Michael Dukakis, was running for President at the time.²

What I learned from the experience is that public health emergences demand full disclosure, and that lessons must be drawn from our mistakes. What I learned in the years that followed is that over time, lessons are forgotten and mistakes repeated. For example each year 4 or 5 heat related deaths occur among high school football players during summer sessions. Case in point: In August, 2008, Louisville, Kentucky high school football player Max Gilpin was participating in a summer practice session in full gear in 94 degree heat. The 220 pound sophomore had just completed a drill of 12 successive sprints when he went down. He died three days later.³

High schoolers at this time of year are especially vulnerable. That is why the National Athletic Trainers Association has issued this week new heat stroke prevention guidelines for high school football players.⁴ Here’s what parents and grandparents of kids in summer football practice sessions need to know.

1. In the first 5 days practices should occur only once a day and be no longer then 3 hours.

2. For the first 2 days, players should wear only helmets. They should progressively add additional gear by the 6th day.

3. Beginning day 6, double sessions can begin, but there should be a three hour cool off between sessions.

4. A water hose or tub of ice water should be available on the field, and access encouraged frequently.

5. Weight should be monitored before and after each practice.

6. Players should be drinking 16 ounces of water for every pound of weight loss.

But why should family have to worry about this? Isn’t that the coaches job? Yes but there is not full agreement between the Trainers Association and the Coaches Association, and there is high variability from one school to the next. Louisville, Kentucky is aboard. Why? Their football coach is being tried on manslaughter charges for the death of Max Gilpin.⁴

What should you do? Even if your kid protests, go to the first one or two sessions. If you don’t see water; if you don’t see breaks; if they are geared up completely from day one – walk down to the field and speak to the coach.

For Health Commentary, I’m Mike Magee.

References:

1. O’Connell. State Probe Sought Into Cadet Illness. Union News. A1. Sept. 24, 1988.

2. 4 President.org.

3. Kentucky Football Coach Pleades Not Guilty In Case.

4.Yao L. High Schools Seek To Curb Heat-Linked Sports Injuries. Wall Street Journal. D2, July 14, 2009.