Open AccessHeat Stroke in Physical Activity and Sports (Original version in English)
Author(s) -
Yuri Hosokawa,
William M. Adams,
Rebecca L. Stearns,
Douglas J. Casa
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
pensar en movimiento/revista internacional de ciencias del ejercicio
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1409-0724
pISSN - 1659-4436
DOI - 10.15517/pensarmov.v12i2.15841
Subject(s) - football , stroke (engine) , medicine , sports medicine , injury prevention , suicide prevention , american football , heat illness , poison control , epidemiology , medline , medical emergency , physical therapy , family medicine , political science , engineering , pathology , mechanical engineering , physics , meteorology , law
Exertional heat stroke (EHS) is one of the leading causes of sudden death in sport and physical activity. In American Football alone, there have been 46-documented EHS fatalities in the United States between 1995 and 2010. In 2003, National Collegiate Athletics Association mandated pre-season heat acclimatization guidelines, which successfully decreased the number of heat stroke fatalities in collegiate American football. However, despite the advancement in modern medical care and increased awareness in heat safety, lack of appropriate on-site medical care is still contributing to EHS seen especially at the youth level. It is well established in scientific literature that fatalities as a result of EHS are largely preventable with proper education on the knowledge of recognition, treatment, and prevention of EHS. This document provides a review of the current best medical practices and evidence on the epidemiology, pathophysiology, risk factors, recognition, treatment, prevention, and return to play recommendations for EHS, specifically as they relate to sport and physical activity.