Prevent heat-related illness during sports activities

Is your student-athlete starting to train for school sports? Johns Hopkins offers advice for parents and coaches, to help athletes prevent heat-related illness.

• Increase the amount of training time slowly, to give the body time to acclimate to heat.

• Drink water before, during and after training to maintain hydration and stable body temperature.

• Recognize heat-related illness symptoms of disorientation, dizziness and headache early, before they become more serious.

Another lesson is to teach students to watch out for other athletes that might push too hard. By being more aware, we can safely enjoy the benefits of sports.

– Cyndee Woolley, APR, C2 Communications