Game on: How to keep student-athletes safe this sports season

With the school year underway, student-athletes across Mississippi are back on the field, court and sidelines as fall sports move into full swing.

From football and cheerleading to band and other extracurricular activities, students are balancing practices, games and schoolwork — often while Mississippi temperatures remain high.

As the season continues, Dr. Derrick Burgess, assistant professor and orthopaedic surgeon at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, says staying vigilant about heat-related illness, hydration and sports injuries is key to keeping young athletes healthy and in the game.

"The first thing we can do to keep our young athletes safe is remain vigilant," said Burgess. "Parents should also be aware of their child's overall health before they begin participating."

Before athletes return to practice, Burgess recommends every student complete a pre-participation physical.

"It is a good screening tool for people that have a major medical condition, so that we can be aware of it," Burgess said.

Let’s get physical

A sports physical is only one part of the equation, he said. Parents should also understand their child's personal medical history and any family history of chronic health conditions, so coaches and medical staff are prepared to respond if an emergency occurs.

"If you are asthmatic, we always want to make sure you have an inhaler," Burgess said. "For people that have hypertension or a family history of heart disease, you need to undergo even more screenings than just a regular physical. Sometimes we have to refer people to cardiology to get an EKG.

"Especially for people with sickle cell disease or the sickle cell trait, we really have to be careful with them in these extreme temperatures and make sure that they are adequately hydrated because they can get into trouble really quickly. So, knowing your medical history is vital."

Mississippi schools also follow heat safety guidelines established by the Mississippi High School Activities Association. To help prevent heat-related illnesses, schools use wet-bulb globe temperature readings to determine whether outdoor practices should be modified, delayed or canceled. Unlike a standard thermometer, the wet-bulb globe temperature accounts for humidity, direct sunlight, wind and other environmental conditions that affect how hot it feels.

"When temperatures reach certain levels, we have to limit outdoor exposure or sometimes even cancel practices or activities," Burgess said. "Sometimes, even with football games, we may have to delay the start if it is too hot. One effective way to prevent heat-related illnesses is to stay out of the sun during peak hours, generally between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m."

Parents, coaches and teammates should also recognize the warning signs of heat-related illness. According to Burgess, symptoms may include,

• excessive sweating,
• extreme fatigue,
• dizziness,
• decreased athletic performance,
• confusion,
• altered consciousness,
• seizures or, in severe cases,
• a person who suddenly stops sweating.

Beat the heat

Hydration also plays a critical role in keeping athletes safe.

Coaches and sports medicine providers often monitor hydration by checking urine output and color and weighing athletes before and after practice to determine how much fluid they have lost.

"It is pretty impressive how much body weight they can lose," Burgess said. "Sometimes 10 to 15 percent body weight just within a couple of sessions, so we have to really keep a close eye on that."

Cooling strategies, including water or ice baths, can also help lower an athlete's body temperature when overheating occurs.

Heat isn't the only concern during preseason sports. Concussions remain one of the most common injuries among young athletes. According to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, an estimated 1.7 million to 3.8 million sports- and recreation-related traumatic brain injuries occur each year in the United States. Among children and adolescents, sports and recreational activities account for more than 21% of all traumatic brain injuries.

Recognizing a concussion, Burgess said, is a shared responsibility among athletes, teammates, coaches and parents.

"Many times, an athlete can hide the symptoms if no one is aware," Burgess said. "It is not always a violent hit that causes a concussion. It can be something as simple as falling the wrong way or hitting your head on the turf. You can be hit in the face with an object. So, we really need to be aware of the signs of headaches, altered vision and any feeling of fatigue. Sometimes it is you not feeling yourself from an emotional standpoint."

To help ensure students are healthy and ready to participate in sports, Burgess recommends that parents schedule a yearly physical and establish care with a primary care provider before the school year begins.

Student-athletes injured in a Friday night football game during the regular high school season can be seen at UMMC Colony Park South in Ridgeland. The clinic is open Fridays, 9:30-11:30 p.m., or until the last student is seen. Walk-ins are welcome, but, if possible, call ahead at 601-815-4721.

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