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Article
National Athletic Trainers' Association Position Statement: Exertional Heat Illnesses
Journal of Athletic Training
  • Douglas J. Casa, University of Connecticut
  • Julie K. DeMartini, Sacred Heart University
  • Michael F. Bergeron, Youth Sports of the Americas, Birmingham, AL
  • Dave Csillan, Ewing High School, NJ
  • E. Randy Eichner, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center
  • Rebecca M. Lopez, University of South Florida - Tampa
  • Michael S. Ferrara, University of New Hampshire, Durham
  • Kevin C. Miller, Central Michigan University
  • Francis O'Connor, Uniformed Services Universty of the Health Sciences
  • Michael N. Sawka, Georgia Institute of Technology
  • Susan W. Yeargin, University of South Carolina -Columbia
Document Type
Peer-Reviewed Article
Publication Date
9-1-2015
Disciplines
Abstract

Objective: To present best-practice recommendations for the prevention, recognition, and treatment of exertional heat illnesses (EHIs) and to describe the relevant physiology of thermoregulation. Background: Certified athletic trainers recognize and treat athletes with EHIs, often in high-risk environments. Although the proper recognition and successful treatment strategies are well documented, EHIs continue to plague athletes, and exertional heat stroke remains one of the leading causes of sudden death during sport. The recommendations presented in this document provide athletic trainers and allied health providers with an integrated scientific and clinically applicable approach to the prevention, recognition, treatment of, and return-to-activity guidelines for EHIs. These recommendations are given so that proper recognition and treatment can be accomplished in order to maximize the safety and performance of athletes. Recommendations: Athletic trainers and other allied health care professionals should use these recommendations to establish onsite emergency action plans for their venues and athletes. The primary goal of athlete safety is addressed through the appropriate prevention strategies, proper recognition tactics, and effective treatment plans for EHIs. Athletic trainers and other allied health care professionals must be properly educated and prepared to respond in an expedient manner to alleviate symptoms and minimize the morbidity and mortality associated with these illnesses.

Comments

This article has been corrected. See J Athl Train. 2017 April; 52(4): 401.

DOI
10.4085/1062-6050-50.9.07
PMID
26381473
Publisher
National Athletic Trainers’ Association
Pages
986-1000
Citation Information

Casa, D. J., DeMartini, J. K., Bergeron, M. F., Csillan, D., Eichner, E. R., Lopez, R. M., Ferrara, M. S., Miller, K. C., O’Connor, F., Sawka, M. N., & Yeargin, S. W. (2015). National Athletic Trainers’ Association position statement: Exertional heat illnesses. Journal of Athletic Training (Allen Press), 50(9), 986–1000.