Rising mercury effects children and adults equally
Submitted by Robert on August 9, 2011 - 6:48pm
The Nation's largest group of Pediatricians, The American Academy of Paediatrics, has released new guidelines regarding the safety of children and teen athletes playing sports in hot weather. The new policy overwrites the previous idea that kids are more prone to heat than adults. As per the new evidence, the strategies applied to adults for heat-relates treatment applies to children as well.
The new study came after two Georgia high school football players and a football coach died while practicing in temperatures of over 90 degrees. With proper training, time-outs, hydration and emergency treatment available young athletes can play in high temperatures.
Knowledge is the key to Prevention
The principal cause of excess heat retention is attributed to inadequate recovery between successive exercise bouts, extreme physical exertion, training sessions scheduled on the same day with less duration of break in between, wearing improper clothing and protective equipments.
The results of the new study, undertaken by Michael F. Bergeron a sports medicine specialist from the University of South Dakota and coauthors, is published online in the journal 'Pediatrics'.
Mr. Bergeron said adults and organizations should take responsibility and emphasize suitable prevention techniques to minimize the risk of heat illness for teenagers and adults during exercise. It is essential to educate kids on ways to prevent these illnesses. They should keep themselves hydrated, as they get used to the heat.
Dr. Stephen G. Rice, a former member of the executive committee of the AAP council, maintains that children and athletes are safe to participate in outdoor activities, in hot and humid conditions, such situations are potentially dangerous for adults.
Scary Statistics
More than 3,000 children and teenager aged less than 20 got treatment in emergency rooms for illness caused by nonfatal heat. As per data released by American Football Coaches Association and other organizations, 29 high school football players have died over a period of 13 years, due to heat stroke.
