Environmental Issues in Sports Medicine

Question 1

What are the 5 environmental issues?

Answer 1

1.) heat related illness
2.) cold injury
3.) lightning
4.) UV light
5.) altitude

Question 2

What are the 6 heat related injuries?

Answer 2

1.) heat edema
2.) heat rash
3.) heat syncope
4.) heat cramps
5.) heat exhaustion
6.) heat stroke

Question 3

Convection

Answer 3

process of losing heat through movement of air or water molecules across the skin

Question 4

Example of Convection

Answer 4

using a fan to cool off

Question 5

Evaporation

Answer 5

process of losing heat through the conversion of water to gas

Question 6

Example of Evaporation

Answer 6

evaporation of sweat

Question 7

Radiation

Answer 7

form of heat loss through infrared rays; involved the transfer of heat from one object to another with no physical contact involved

Question 8

Example of Radiation

Answer 8

sun transfers heat to earth through radiation

Question 9

Conduction

Answer 9

process of losing heat through physical contact with another object or body

Question 10

Example of Conduction

Answer 10

if you were to sit on a metal chair, the heat from your body would transfer to the cold metal chair

Question 11

Wet Bulb Globe Temperature

Answer 11

Heat, sunshine, and humidity; must be monitored closely

Question 12

Dry bulb temperature

Answer 12

only measures temperature without the other factors (humidity, wind, sunshine, etc)

Question 13

What causes heat edema?

Answer 13

heat causes vasodilation and with gravity, body fluid will move into the hands and legs

Question 14

Heat edema - signs and symptoms

Answer 14

pitting edema

Question 15

Heat edema - treatment

Answer 15

drink fluids, movement in the extremities to get fluid moving again, cool down

Question 16

What is another name for a heat rash?

Answer 16

Prickly heat

Question 17

What causes a heat rash?

Answer 17

skins sweat glands are blocked and the sweat that is produced can’t get to the surface

Question 18

Most common places to get a heat rash

Answer 18

in the creases (groin, armpit, neck) or where skin causes friction
usually shows up on adults

Question 19

Heat rash - treatment

Answer 19

avoid tight clothes, stay cool and dry, drink plenty of fluids, calamine lotion can help with itching

Question 20

What causes heat syncope?

Answer 20

heat causes vasodilation and blood pools in the arms and legs which decreases blood pressure and can cause the athlete to faint

Question 21

When does heat syncope usually occur?

Answer 21

At the end of activity

Question 22

Heat syncope - signs and symptoms

Answer 22

feeling faint/lightheaded (especially when changing positions), pale, cool, and moist skin

Question 23

Heat syncope - treatment

Answer 23

move to a cool environment, untie shoes, drink fluids, supine position, and elevate lower extremities

Question 24

What causes heat cramps?

Answer 24

Excessive heat exposure and profuse sweating and lack of fluid replacement
core body temperature over 104 F

Question 25

Heat cramps - signs and symptoms

Answer 25

painful muscle cramps

Question 26

Where do heat cramps usually occur?

Answer 26

quads, calves, and abdominal muscles

Question 27

Heat cramps - treatment

Answer 27

stretching, cooling down, fluid/electrolyte replacement
to break cramp, have athlete carry their body weight (stand up)

Question 28

4 main electrolytes our body needs to function

Answer 28

sodium, calcium, potassium, magnesium

Question 29

What is the first sign of heat illness (usually)?

Answer 29

heat exhaustion

Question 30

Heat exhaustion - signs and symptoms

Answer 30

body temperature between 98.6F - 104F, fatigue, dizziness, profuse sweating, vomiting, nausea, headaches, cold clammy skin, weakness, normal mental status

Question 31

Heat exhaustion - treatment

Answer 31

move to a cool place, rehydration, remove excess clothing
*Oral rehydration is just as effective as IV

Question 32

Who must clear an athlete before they can return to play after heat exhaustion?

Answer 32

cleared by a physician IF school doesn’t have an athletic trainer

Question 33

What if heat exhaustion isn’t treated?

Answer 33

could lead to heatstroke

Question 34

Heatstroke

Answer 34

serious life threatening condition with an unknown specific cause

Question 35

Heatstroke - signs and symptoms

Answer 35

sudden onset, sudden collapse, loss of consciousness (LOC), central nervous system (CNS) dysfunction, strong rapid pulse, flushed hot skin, minimal sweating, shallow breathing, core temp 104F

Question 36

Heatstroke - treatment

Answer 36

drastic measures must be taken
remove clothing, immerse in water, take to hospital ASAP
*cool first, transport second
*temp drops 1F every 5 mins

Question 37

What is the only thermometer you should use to check core temperature?

Answer 37

rectal thermometer

Question 38

Environmental Risk Factors

Answer 38

humidity
air temperature
conductive heat (ground)
protective clothing
radiant heat (sun)
air movement
workload severity/duration

Question 39

Personal risk factors

Answer 39

water consumption
caffeine consumption
use of rx meds (laxative, dietary supps)
health (weight, fitness level)
alcohol consumption
degree of acclimation
age

Question 40

How much water should you drink a day?

Answer 40

for average person: 1 oz per kilo of water per day (athlete x2)

Question 41

Prevention

Answer 41

educate athletes and coaches
acclimation
daily weight and hydration checks
conditioning
proper uniforms for temperature