Chapter 6: Environmental Considerations

Question 1

What are the 5 types of heat exchange?

Answer 1

Metabolic: production and radiation of heat. always cause increase in body heat
Conductive: physical contact
Convective: mass of either air or water moves around an individual
Radiant: heat from sunshine. as well as body
Evaporative: sweat glands in the skin allow water to be transported to the surface

Question 2

What are some factors that cause variations in sweat rates? Does a fit athlete sweat less or more?

Answer 2

Height/weight, degree of acclimatization, fitness level, hydration, environmental conditions, clothing, intensity and duration of activity, heredity…Fit athletes sweat MORE

Question 3

Who are some at-risk individuals for heat-related injuries?

Answer 3

Dehydrated, large muscle mass, overweight, young, elderly, poor fitness, history of heat illness

Question 4

What is the wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) index? What is the formula?

Answer 4

Provides the athletic trainer with an objective means for determining necessary precautions for practice and competition in hot weather.

Uses a wet wick or piece of gauze on a thermometer to that is swung in the air, globe temp measures sun radiation, dry bulb temperature…

WBGT=(.1DBT)+(.7WBT)+(.2GT) OR
WBGT=(0.3DBT)+(0.7*WBT)

DBT: dry bulb temperature
GT: globe temperature
WBT: web bulb tempreature

Question 5

How does a psychrometer work?

Answer 5

measures DBT and WBT

two identical thermometer - wet and dry. drier the air the greater the evaporation, and thus the more wet bulb temperature is depressed.

Question 6

S&S, Tx for heat syncope?

Answer 6

S&S: pooling of blood in extremities, dizziness, fainting, nausea
Tx: lying down in a cool environment, replenishing fluids
causes: rapid physical fatigue during overexposure to heat

Question 7

S&S, Tx for heat cramps?

Answer 7

S&S: muscle twitching, cramps, spasms in arms/legs/abdomen
Tx: ingesting large amounts of fluid, milk stretching, ice massage of affected muscle
causes: hard work in heat, sweating heavily, imbalance between water & electrolytes

Question 8

S&S, Tx for heat exhaustion?

Answer 8

S&S: excessive thirst, dry mouth, weight loss, fatigue, weakness, incoordination, mental dullness, low urine volume, increased body temp
Tx: bed rest in cool room, IV fluids if drinking is impaired, increase fluids 6-8 L/day, sponge with cool water, records of body weight and fluid balance, semiliquid food
causes: prolonged sweating, dehydration, inability to sustain adequate cardiac output

Question 9

S&S, Tx for heat stroke?

Answer 9

S&S: CNS abnormalities, HA, vertigo, fatigue, flushed skin, less sweating, rapidly increasing pulse rate 160-180 even, increased respiration, BP doesn’t rise, rise in body temp to 104, athlete feels as if they are burning up, diarrhea, vomiting. NO SWEAT.
Tx: emergency measures to reduce temperature, massage limbs, take to hospital ASAP
causes: thermoregulatory failure of sudden onset

Question 10

What is hyponatremia? What sports have the greatest risk?

Answer 10

A fluid/electrolyte imbalance where there is an abnormally low concentration of sodium in the blood…sports at risk are football and track and field.

Question 11

What are the steps an ATC can take to prevent heat illness?

Answer 11

1) Take a complete medical history and provide a PPE
2) Evaluate general physical condition, type/duration of training activities for previous month
3) Measure temp and humidity on playing fields
4) Acclimatize athletes to heat gradually
5) Monitor body weight loss during activity in the heat
6) Monitor clothing and uniforms
7) Provide rest periods to dissipate accumulated body heat

Question 12

At what % decrease in body weight will an athlete feel thirsty?

Answer 12

1-2%

Question 13

Mild dehydration is defined as what % of body weight?

Answer 13

Less than 2% of body weight

Question 14

What is the optimal level of carb for quickest fluid absorption?

Answer 14

14 grams per 8 oz of water

Question 15

What 3 things create an environment that predispose an athlete to hypothermia?

Answer 15

Low temperatures, wind, and dampness/wetness

Question 16

Between what body temperatures does shivering cease?

Answer 16

Below 85-90 degrees

Question 17

At what temperatures is death imminent?

Answer 17

Below 77-85 degrees, 104 or higher

Question 18

What is frost nip, superficial frostbite, and deep frostbite?

Answer 18

Frost nip: affects ears/nose/cheecks/chins/fingers/toes, skin appears firm with cold, painless areas that may peel or blister in 24-72 hours, can be streated with firm pressure, blowing hot air, or putting fingers in the armpits
Superficial Frostbite: Chilblains (constant exposure to cold for many hours), involves only the skin and subcutaneous tissue, skin is pale, hard, cold, and waxt…immerse in warm water, do not numb
Deep Frostbite: serous injury, tissues are frozen, medical emergency, tissue is cold, hard, pale or white, and numb. Hot drinks, heat pads, hot water to rewarm

Question 19

Why is exercising at altitude more difficult?

Answer 19

Oxygen deficiency, reduction of barometric pressure, RBCs become less saturated, depriving the tissues of O2

Question 20

What 3 illnesses are more likely to occur at a high altitude? Why?

Answer 20

1) Acute Mountain Sickness: 1/3 people, HA, nausea, vomiting, sleep disturbance, dyspnea, up to 3 days, 7-8k feet
2) High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE): lungs accumulate a small amount of fluid in alveolar walls. Dyspnea, cough, HA, weakness, unconsciousness 9-10k feet
3) High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE): over 9k feet, life threatening, can lead to coma or death, increased cerebral edema by increased cerebral blood flow due to increased permeability of cerebral endothelium when exposed to hypoxia…severe HA, mental dysfunction, neuro abnormalities

Question 21

What does SPF stand for? What does SPF 30 mean?

Answer 21

Sun protection factor…it means that a person can be exposed to UV light 30xs longer than without sunscreen before the skin turns red.

Question 22

Wht steps can you take to minimize the effect of circadian dysrhymia (jet lag)?

Answer 22

Leave well rested, Stay hydrated, get up and go to bed one hour later for each time zone crossed, eat light meals early if traveling west, heavy meal earlier when heading east , consume caffeine when traveling west, but avoid when traveling east, exercise later if traveling west and earlier if traveling east, avoid alcohol

Question 23

What are 2 injuries much more likely to occur on synthetic turf?

Answer 23

Abrasions and turf toe

Question 24

Why could sports drinks be considered more effective than water for rehydration purposes?

Answer 24

Sports drinks contain electrolytes, and carbs, and other things that will help retain water. people also like to drink sports drinks more than just plain water