The implementation of a protocol for the prevention and management of exertional heat illness in sport

Background The risk of heat-related illness in sport is significant. It can range from minor symptoms, through heat exhaustion to heat stroke, coma and possible death. Early recognition and cooling can reduce morbidity and mortality associated with exertional heat illness (EHI). Objective The aim of our study was to establish a protocol for the prevention, recognition and prompt management of EHI, in athletes, who are participating in potentially dangerous weather conditions/environments. Design We performed a prospective, cohort study of the incidence of EHI occurring during a multi-sport event. Setting Our study was performed at the Maccabiah Games 2013 in Israel. This event compromised a variety of skill levels, including amateur, semi-professional and Olympic level athletes. The weather conditions in Israel in July 2013, ranged from temperatures of 23°c –41°c. Patients In our role, as the medical team for Team GB, we studied all athletes for Great Britain. This included 424 participants, both male and female, at all age levels from 14–58 years old, including a variety of skill levels from amateur to professional athletes. Interventions We established a 'heat policy' which we implemented during the Games. The medical team reviewed every athlete with common symptoms of EHI at the pitch-side, recording their temperature, and if necessary removing them from sport and initiating management of hyperthermia. Main outcome measurements The main outcome me...
Source: British Journal of Sports Medicine - Category: Sports Medicine Authors: Tags: Abstracts from the IOC World Conference on Prevention of Injury & amp; Illness in Sport, Monaco 2014 Source Type: research