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Area coaches keep heat in mind

The death of a Florida freshman has put a spotlight on players practicing under the hot sun.

By JOHN SCHWARB

© St. Petersburg Times,
published July 28, 2001

For area football coaches and players, the upcoming start of practice makes for a hotly anticipated late summer.

With an extra emphasis on hot.

In the weeks before school starts, most teams hold two-a-day practices, the crash courses of conditioning coaches swear by to get players in shape for the battles of fall Friday nights. But in addition to building strength and stamina, coaches must keep a wary eye out for the effects of the oppressive Florida heat on players.

Wednesday, a lesson hit painfully close to home as University of Florida freshman fullback Eraste Autin died, apparently from complications related to heatstroke, six days after collapsing after a voluntary workout.

"It's really tragic any time you have a young person," Seminole coach Sam Roper said. "You scratch your head and wonder how or why."

Roper and his peers take extra steps during the summer months to ensure players remain safe under the hot sun. Admiral Farragut coach Mike Jalazo said education is the key. During workouts, his team will take multiple breaks, walking off the field and beneath the bleachers to stay cool while drinking substantial amounts of water.

"Even when they're not thirsty, we force them to drink water," Jalazo said.

Many teams have trainers on site at all times to assist with athletes who show early signs of dehydration. And some coaches, like Jelazo, employ managers whose sole job is to shuttle water around the practice field.

"Drink water" is a common refrain among coaches in the summer. Roper said in the past, a common weapon to fight the heat was taking salt tablets before practice, which would help retain water and reduce sweat.

Now doctors say salt tablets are a bad idea and the key is water, water and more water.

Relentless pushing of athletes during workouts also is increasingly frowned upon.

"You can't go from the old school the way it used to be, "Rub some dirt on it and play,"' Roper said. "That's out the window. Now if a kid wants water, he gets it any time he wants to. It's a lot different than it used to be, when you were considered soft if you took a water break."

Coaches, however, also add there is only so much they can do. Players are usually under direct supervision for only a few hours each day, but the need to hydrate and pay attention to signs of fatigue exists even in workouts away from school.

"We harp on them all the time not to drink the Cokes and iced teas and to drink water, but I don't think they do a good job," Countryside coach Joe Ionata said. "We talk to them about it, but we know we have to push them."

TAKING PRECAUTIONS

1. Athletes should have a physical exam with a medical history when first entering a sport. 2. Coaches should know the physical condition of their athletes and set practice schedules accordingly.

3. Acclimatization, or adjusting to the heat, should be provided. A graduated conditioning program is suggested, with 80 percent acclimatization expected after the first seven to 10 days. Final stages are marked by increased sweating and reduced salt concentration in the sweat.

4. Water must be on the field in unlimited quantities and readily available at all times. Ten minutes are recommended for water breaks for every half hour of heavy exercise in heat. 5. Replace salt daily. Modest salting of foods after practices or games is enough. Salt tablets are not recommended.

6. Know the temperature and humidity. The higher the humidity, the more difficult it is for the body to cool itself.

7. In extremely hot and humid weather, reduce the amount of clothing covering the body as much as possible. Never use rubberized clothing.

8. Athletes should be weighed each day before and after practice, and weight charts should be maintained. More than 3 percent weight loss is in the danger zone, and the athlete should not be allowed to practice until replacing that weight.

9. Observe athletes carefully, particularly those who lose significant weight and who constantly compete at his/her capacity. Trouble signs are nausea, incoherence, fatigue, weakness, vomiting, cramps, weak rapid pulse, visual disturbance and unsteadiness.

10. Have emergency plans written with copies to all staff. Be familiar with first aid and prearranged procedures for obtaining care, including ambulance service.

-- Source: National Federation of State High School Associations

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