How to Prevent Heat Stroke When Playing Sports

Heat stroke is a very real medical condition and should be taken seriously by athletes, parents and coaches. If not treated immediately, heat stroke can be fatal. Football players are often the most at-risk for heat stroke because of the amount of equipment they're required to wear, their exertion and the hours and frequency of their practices.

Instructions

• 1

  Prepare yourself when heading to practice or a game. Always bring water with you and wear the lightest clothing possible.

• 2

  Drink up. Water is the best thing to drink to avoid heat stroke. Sports drinks also work, but water is usually more accessible. Drink even if you're not thirsty.

• 3

  Know that sweating is a good thing. It's your body's way of getting rid of the extra heat. You have a problem if you're not sweating, not the other way around.

• 4

  Be sensible about how much you exert yourself while playing sports in extreme temperatures. If your sports uniform is heavy, like a football uniform, it'll be very difficult for your body to cool itself down. If you over-exert yourself, you could suffer from heat stroke.

• 5

  Make sure to drink even more water when it's humid outside. In humid weather, it's harder for your sweat to evaporate and your body doesn't cool itself down as well.

• 6

  Try to limit your outside sports to either before noon or after 6 p.m. It's cooler outside during the morning and evening hours and you'll be less likely to suffer from heat stroke.

• 7

  Find a shady place or go indoors if you start to feel overheated.