Heat Illness

Heat illness is inherent to physical activity and its incidence increases with rising ambient temperature and relative humidity. Athletes who begin training in the late summer (eg, football, soccer, and cross-country athletes) experience exertional heat-related illness more often than athletes who begin training during the winter and spring.

The traditional classification of heat illness defines 3 categories: heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke. Heat illness is more likely in hot, humid weather but can occur in the absence of hot and humid conditions.

Some of the signs and symptoms for heat illness are below:

Dehydration

Thirst

Sweating

Transient muscle cramps

Fatigue

Tunnel vision

Pale or sweaty skin

Decreased pulse rate

Dizziness

Lightheadedness

Fainting

Vomiting

Diarrhea 

 

The following are ways to prevent heat illness:

1. Ensure that appropriate medical care is available and that

rescue personnel are familiar with exertional heat illness prevention,

recognition, and treatment

2. Conduct a thorough, physician-supervised, pre-participation

medical screening before the season starts to identify athletes

predisposed to heat illness.

3. Adapt athletes to exercise in the heat (acclimatization)

gradually over 10 to 14 days.

4. Educate athletes and coaches regarding the prevention,

recognition, and treatment of heat.

5. Educate athletes to match fluid intake with sweat and

urine losses to maintain adequate hydration.

To learn more about heat illness go to: http://www.nata.org/sites/default/files/ExternalHeatIllnesses.pdf, and read the  National Athletic Trainers’ Association Position Statement on exertional heat illness.

MATA Meeting

As a health care provider, it is important to stay current in today's practices and research.   Most professionals achieve this through continuing education courses and conferences. Recently, the Minnesota Athletic Training Association hosted their annual meeting in Plymouth.  Athletic trainers from across the state of Minnesota, including OSR Physical Therapy athletic trainers, attended a two day conference made up of speakers, presentations and awards.

The Minnesota Athletic Trainers' Association is an allied health professional association dedicated to enhancing the quality of health care for the physically active through the promotion of professional growth, educational enhancement, as well as, the recognition of the certified athletic trainer and their value as health care providers.  Below is a link to the MATA website for further information:

http://www.mnata.com/index.php

The MATA Annual Meeting is a great educational resource.  Professional networking amongst peers and the state's top orthopedic and sports medicine physicians is another benefit for athletic trainers at this meeting.  Some notable presenters from this year's meeting were:

Brad Nelson, MD - University of Minnesota team physician
John Steubs, MD - Minnesota Twins team physician
Mike Freehill, MD - Sports and Orthopaedic Specialists
Rob Johnson, MD - University of Minnesota team physician

Through conferences and education courses such as the MATA Annual Meeting and Symposium, OSR Physical Therapy athletic trainers stay current in today's practices to provide the highest quality of care to their patients. 

Interview with Bike Fit specialist

Recently, I had the opportunity to interview OSR's Bike Fit specialist, Stephanie Winters. Here is what I learned!



Question: I hear that you do Bike Fit. How is this different than what the bike store provides?
Answer: That is a great questions.  A lot of bike shops offer bike sizing to make sure when you buy your bike it is the right size.  They will then make adjustments based on normals and a good look.  A problem with this is that even the smallest adjustment can make a huge difference in causing or preventing injury.  The Bike Fit we offer at OSR takes an in-depth look at the foot/pedal interface, seat and handlebars.  We make on the spot adjustments based on normal values, your strength, comfort and injury history.  We will also adjust things based on your riding style.

Question: Is Bike Fit just for Triathletes and competitive cyclists?
Answer: Bike Fit really is for every type of biker.  We have fit iron-mans, triathletes, mountain bikers, road bikers, recreational users and even bikers who just go to spin class at their local health club.  The goal of Bike Fit is to increase performance, increase comfort and minimize injury.

Question: How can Bike Fit help me with injury prevention or rehabilitation?
Answer: We can make adjustments based on your body and current or past injuries.  We spend the majority of the time on the foot/pedal interface.  Over the course of a ride your legs will take 10,000 to 50,000 or more revolutions.  If the way your foot hits the pedal is off that will cause a lot of damage.

Question: Can Bike Fit improve my speed?
Answer: We sure hope to.  On average our patients have seen an increase of 3mph on rides after their Bike Fit.

Lightning Safety

In the United States an average of 42 fatalities are caused by lightning annually, with a majority of those fatalities occurring during sport and recreational activities. With spring events in full swing it is important to be aware of proper lightning safety to prevent such events for occurring.

When is it unsafe to be outdoors?

Many organizations will begin their lightning safety evacuations at the first sight of lightning or sound of thunder. If thunder can be heard, lightning is close enough to be a hazard. However the recommendation remains that once the edge of a thunderstorm has come within 6 miles of an event all individuals should be in a safe location. It is important to plan time for participates and spectators to move to these safe locations.

How to determine the distance of a storm?

The Flash to Bang Method can be used to give an estimate of the distance of an approaching thunderstorm. To use this method begin counting when the flash of lightning is observed and stop counting when the following sound of thunder is heard; divide this count by 5 to determine the distance to the lightning flash (in miles). When the calculated number is 6 everyone should already be in safe locations.

What is a safe location?

Safe locations must be fully enclosed buildings with wiring and plumbing, such as schools or homes. Fully enclosed metal vehicles are also safe. Unsafe locations include dugouts, storage sheds, gazebos, press boxes, open garages, and concession stands. Locker rooms and rooms with multiple appliances or electronics should be avoided.

When can activity be resumed?

It is recommended that all persons stay within safe locations until 30 minutes following the last strike of lightning or sound of thunder. For every strike of lightning or sound of thunder the 30 minute clock resets.

While we all hope the summer is full of sun and great weather it is important to be informed and have a plan in case severe weather arises.

Have a safe summer!

References:

• National Athletic Trainers’ Association Position Statement: Lightning Safety for Athletics and Recreation
• Minnesota State High School League (Board Policy: Lightning/Threatening Weather)
• National Weather Service (Lightning Safety)