“High school football player dies after collapsing….” How many times have you seen this headline? Every year between the months of August and September, there are an alarming number of news stories telling us about lives cut too short. Tragic incidents where young athletes die on the field during practice or a game or soon after being rushed to the hospital.

What gives and how can we prevent such untimely deaths? While there are many factors at play (enlarged hearts, asthma etc.) there’s one factor we can control: heat illness and dehydration. According to the CDC, “heat illness during practice or competition is a leading cause of death and disability among U.S. high school athletes.” Heat illness affects just over 9,000 high school athletes each year and, of the 9 sports examined by CDC, football players are most likely to be affected.

As a coach, trainer or athlete, what can you do? First, support the efforts of Kelci Stringer, the widow of former Vikings player Korey String (who died due to heat illness in 2001), in her incredible efforts toward advocacy, eduation and prevention of sudden death in sports. Mrs. Stringer is pushing for athletic trainers in every high school in the nation. In memory of Korey, and to raise awareness of heat illness, the Korey Stringer Institute was founded at the University of Connecticut. You can find a wealth of information about heat illness and prevention on this website.

In addition to advocating for an athletic trainer (ATC) in your high school, it’s important for athletes, parents and coaches to be educated on heat illness.

Signs and Symptoms include:

• high core body temperature (hot to the touch)
• increased heart rate
• low blood pressure
• sweating
• rapid breathing
• confusion, disorientation, dizziness
• headache
• irritability, irrational behavior
• poor coordination

For more about the signs, symptoms, treatment and prevention of heat illness, turn to this page on the Korey Stringer Institute’s website. After all, many of these deaths are preventable and, education is the first step.

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• Football, Sports, SportsPLUS, Health & Fitness, High School, Student-Athlete