| In a hot climate, regardless if you are in this | | | | itself and body temperature rises at a quick rate. |
| environment all year round or if it is hot in your spring | | | | Unfortunately if there is no treatment vital organs like |
| and summer, you still must be able to train at a the | | | | the heart, kidney and brain begin to fail. If there is no |
| highest intensity possible. It is for that reason you | | | | medical treatment death is imminent! |
| need to be aware of your soccer player's physical | | | | Signs and Symptoms of Heat Stroke |
| health. | | | | High body temperature |
| The most important thing is to keep your players | | | | Red hot dry skin |
| hydrated on a consistent basis. First let us take a | | | | Progressive loss of consciousness |
| look at the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat | | | | Rapid, weak pulse, |
| stroke. | | | | Rapid, shallow breathing |
| Heat exhaustion is the early stage of heat illness and | | | | Here are five things you can do to prevent heat |
| is the most common form you see with soccer | | | | illnesses. |
| training. This occurs after long periods of training in a | | | | 1) Find an area with shade either under tress or a |
| hot environment. | | | | tent. Just getting a player out of the direct heat can |
| Heat exhaustion is an early indication that the body's | | | | help them lower their body temperature. |
| temperature regulating system is becoming | | | | 2) Take a water break every fifteen to twenty |
| overwhelmed. If not addressed immediately it may | | | | minute from soccer training |
| lead to heat stroke and death. | | | | 3) Encourage pre-hydration. Make sure your players |
| Soccer players lose fluid through sweating which | | | | have plenty of fluid before soccer training. |
| decrease blood volume. Blood flows to the skin away | | | | 4) Immediately after training make sure your soccer |
| from the vital organs like the heart, lungs and | | | | players have at least 250ml to 500ml of fluid. At this |
| kidneys. | | | | sports drink is good to have for electrolyte balance. |
| Signs and Symptoms of Heat Exhaustion | | | | 5) Players should avoid eating anything heavy before |
| Normal or below body temperature | | | | they train. The less the stomach contains the less |
| Cool moist pale skin | | | | stress on the body during training. |
| Headache | | | | Keep this in mind with younger players. They do not |
| Nausea | | | | have fully developed sweat glands. Youth Soccer |
| Dizziness | | | | players, until they reach puberty, cool down through |
| Weakness | | | | urination. Many coaches and parents are unaware of |
| Exhaustion | | | | this so keep this mind If you are working with |
| Heat stroke is the least common and most severe | | | | younger soccer players. |
| heat related illness. This occurs if you ignore the signs | | | | Finally, training soccer players until exhaustion in the |
| of heat exhaustion. Heat stroke develops when the | | | | heat will lead to preventable injuries. Sometimes less |
| body's cooling mechanism cannot function due lack of | | | | is better than more. |
| treatment. Sweating stops and the body cannot cool | | | | Enjoy your training in the heat. |