Speed and agility training  in the summer means high temperatures and your youngsters or teens will be playing and practicing outdoors. Therefore, it is important to know that children do not adjust to the heat as well as adults. It is also imperative to be know how to prevent heat illness and be aware of the warning signs. Heat stroke, heat exhaustian and heat cramps are the kinds of heat ailments. If your team is doing strength training workouts, as an adult, you need to keep in mind how dangerous heat illness can be to your charges. In reality, heat sickness can be most dangerous to children.  For heat stroke, the mortality rate is 17 to 70% in children. Things to consider are the seriousness of the ailment and the youth’s age.

Children suffer heat-related illnesses when their bodies can not compensate for the heat and cool itself.  Young people are more susceptible to heat illness because they can’t adjust as quickly or as well to changes in temperatures as do adults. They also generate additional heat with activity. Young folks also sweat at a higher body temperature, and they perspire less than adults.  For obese kids who have constant illnesses are more susceptible to hot weather when exercising outdoors.

WARNINGS
Heat cramps – sore, involuntary muscle contractions,  usuallyin the gastrocnemius or hamstring muscles (the tissues at the rearward of the forelegs and thighs

Dehydration – weariness, thirstiness,  dizziness, less-frequent urination,  confusedness, exaggerated heart rate and breathing, dehydrated skin,  dry mouth and mucous membranes

Heat exhaustion – clammy, pale skin, sweating, dry mouth,  tiredness (fatigue), headache and or dizziness

Heat stroke -Loss ofconsciousness,disarray or hallucinations, headache, agitation, high body temperature, absence of diaphoresis, deep or shallow breathing, feeble pulse rate, seizures

STEPS TO PREVENT
Be cognizant that temperatures over 80 degrees make conditions favorable to heat sickness.  It is also important to know that high humidity lessens the body’s ability to get rid of extra heat through perspiring. Avoid illness by getting young people acclimated to the high temperatures. Workout intensity should slowly increase over the first two weeks with no strenuous work in week one. Practice your youths in the morning or early evening as these are the coolest parts of the day. Ensure youngsters take rest periods. Before practice, hydration is strongly recommended. It is very important to have plenty of water on hand during practice. Minors need to drink fluids every 20 minutes while working out, whether thirsty or not. Fluids to avoid are caffeine and anything carbonated. Minors should wear well-ventilated, light-weight and sweat-absorbing.

Whether your child or your team is doing speed exercises  as a trainer or parent, you need to be aware of the gravity of heat-related sickness.  Respect the high temperatures or there could be fatal consequences.