I helped to moderate a STOP Sports Injuries tweetchat June 12, 2013. This month we decided to focus on prevention of heat illness among young athletes. The post below is a summary of that discussion.
For those of you unfamiliar with tweetchats, people answer questions posed by the moderator and comment on other tweets using the hashtag specified – in this case #SportsSafety. It often starts slowly, but it can become difficult to follow when many people get involved and respond to many different questions and comments. This month’s chat was especially lively with tweets from great minds all over the world!
If you enjoy fast-paced discussions about important sports medicine, healthcare, and social media topics, join us for future #SportsSafety tweetchats. We usually hold these chats on the second Wednesday of each month. The next #SportsSafety tweetchat will take place on Wednesday, July 10 at 9 PM ET.
STOP Sports Injuries
Getting close to the top of the hour and tonight’s #SportsSafety chat. Let us know if you are joining the conversation!
RXN_AthlPerformance
@SportsSafety Joining! Can’t wait to learn! #SportsSafety
STOP Sports Injuries
Joining us tonight will be our resident chat man @DrDavidGeier from @MUSChealth. A reminder to stay in the stream w/ the #SportsSafety tag.
Dr. David Geier
@SportsSafety @MUSChealth Hi everyone! Good to be back for what should be another great chat! #SportsSafety
STOP Sports Injuries
@RXN_Athletic Thanks for dropping by this eve! #SportsSafety
STOP Sports Injuries
As usual we will follow the Q&A format if you choose to respond to a specific questionas A1, A2, etc. #SportsSafety
STOP Sports Injuries
Let’s get after it with Q1: What kind of heat-related issues have you run into on the field with young athletes? #SportsSafety
sheree bekker
@SportsSafety @RXN_Athletic joining! #SportsSafety
Dr. David Geier
#SportsSafety A1: I see cramping mostly. Fortunate to work with athletic trainers to observe kids for signs of dehydration & heat illness
Mike Hopper
@SportsSafety A1 Cramping is big. Hopefully we can keep it to that and prevent further complications. #AT4ALL #SportsSafety
STOP Sports Injuries
@kay_lathrop Welcome, Kay! #SportsSafety
Mike Hopper
@SportsSafety @DrDavidGeier Good evening to you both! Looking forward to another great discussion #SportsSafety
sheree bekker
@SportsSafety A1: fatigue, reduced concentration, cramping. #SportsSafety
Dr. David Geier
@shereebekker @SportsSafety Sheree, sounds like you have experience with heat illness w the marathon you mentioned earlier #SportsSafety
STOP Sports Injuries
RT @mnhopper1s A1 Cramping is big. Hopefully we can keep it to that and prevent further complications. #AT4ALL #SportsSafety
STOP Sports Injuries
RT @shereebekker A1: fatigue, reduced concentration, cramping. #SportsSafety
sheree bekker
@DrDavidGeier @SportsSafety following the work of @ProfTimNoakes that he has done on EAHE and overdrinking #waterlogged #SportsSafety
Mike Hopper
It’s important to recognize heat illness does not simply =dehydration. #SportsSafety Many factors to consider.
Dr. David Geier
@mnhopper1s @SportsSafety Hey Mike! You should have a lot of experience with the hot summers where you are! #SportsSafety
David Webb
#SportsSafety sorry getting in late. We talking heat tonight (not Miami) ?
STOP Sports Injuries
A great note. RT @mnhopper1s It’s important to recognize heat illness does not simply =dehydration. #SportsSafety Many factors to consider.
Mike Hopper
@DrDavidGeier @SportsSafety Definitely! And just had lecture on EHS, etc last week when I was in class! #SportsSafety #AT4ALL
Dr. David Geier
@shereebekker @SportsSafety @ProfTimNoakes Do you see overhydration often? In young athletes too? #SportsSafety
sheree bekker
@SportsSafety @mnhopper1s agreed! Dehydration is not the cause of heat illness. #SportsSafety
David Webb
@mnhopper1s #SportsSafety tough to convince kids rehydration begins immediately post activity. Nothing caffeinated or carbonated in season.
Dr. David Geier
@trainerwebby David, I can talk about the Spurs win over the Heat… #SportsSafety
STOP Sports Injuries
@trainerwebby Hi David! Absolutely right. The (Miami) Heat variety discussion is discouraged (though not forbidden). #SportsSafety
Mike Hopper
@shereebekker @SportsSafety It can be, but not only reasoning.. #SportsSafety
Dr. David Geier
@trainerwebby @mnhopper1s Many of these kids eat fast food and drink soft drinks all summer too. Doesn’t help #SportsSafety
sheree bekker
@SportsSafety @mnhopper1s nothing caffeinated or carbonated full stop. Chocolate milk been shown to be great recovery drink. #SportsSafety
David Webb
@DrDavidGeier @mnhopper1s #SportsSafety I am working on a preseason food guide for my fall sport athletes.
JJ Elle (0jj0)
Everyone training should join in on @SportsSafety #SportsSafety chat going on now. Great info applicable to many sports!
Dr. David Geier
@trainerwebby @mnhopper1s Share it with us when you get it done if you can. Would be great addition to @SportsSafety blog #SportsSafety
STOP Sports Injuries
Some interesting points with Q1 – including hydration is not the ONLY issue at hand when sporting in the warm weather. #SportsSafety
STOP Sports Injuries
On to Q2: What should kids be doing to avoid heat-related injuries (or illness) – or general discomfort, for that matter? #SportsSafety
sheree bekker
@DrDavidGeier @SportsSafety Admit I am unsure of young athletes. You? #SportsSafety
STOP Sports Injuries
@JFitGirl Thanks for the tweet – and welcome again! #SportsSafety
Mike Hopper
@ATCHacks @DrDavidGeier @trainerwebby Not sure where you’re making that assumption at. I’m not sure of correlation… #SportsSafety
Mike Hopper
@SportsSafety A2 Proper acclimation is crucial @K_S_Institute has some great resources for that! #SportsSafety
David Webb
@SportsSafety #SportsSafety acclimation requires being in situation. Get outside to be rest to get outside.
JJ Elle (0jj0)
@SportsSafety Welcome! Always informative!! #SportsSafety
STOP Sports Injuries
@DrDavidGeier @trainerwebby @mnhopper1s Would definitely suit our audiences well. Feel free to DM @SportsSafety. #SportsSafety
Dr. David Geier
@shereebekker @SportsSafety I haven’t seen overhydration much. Maybe kids who get behind in hot conditions & drink too much #SportsSafety
Coach & AD Magazine
@trainerwebby We also would love to hear about your preseason food guide. Sounds great! #SportsSafety
Dr. David Geier
A2: Big issue I see is lack of preparation. They come to summer practice out of shape & don’t drink enough before practice. #SportsSafety
sheree bekker
@mnhopper1s @SportsSafety true but read this http://blogs.bmj.com/bjsm/2012/03/21/persistent-dehydration-myths-tim-noakes-comments-on-bjsms-reader-poll/ … #SportsSafety
sheree bekker
@DrDavidGeier @SportsSafety may be one for @ProfTimNoakes if he sees this. #SportsSafety
David Webb
#SportsSafety A2 addendum: goes back to food intake. Thinking a snack five hours ago is nourishment for a two hr practice. Wrong thought.
Dr. David Geier
@mnhopper1s @ATCHacks @trainerwebby Agree. My tweet had nothing to do w income. I see kids eat/drink badly even during season #SportsSafety
Carrie Boan
A2: get rid of energy drinks, if it revs you up it will heat you up, educate parents and coaches #SportsSafety
sheree bekker
@SportsSafety correct clothing for environment, frequent breaks, consider time of day for training/comp #SportsSafety
STOP Sports Injuries
#SportsSafety RT @DMXathletics A2: have educated coaches know when it is safe to practice during the hot months.
David Webb
@DrDavidGeier @mnhopper1s @ATCHacks #SportsSafety more of a comment on FF oriented society. Grab a burger instead of prep a meal yourself.
STOP Sports Injuries
RT @carrie_boan A2: get rid of energy drinks, if it revs you up it will heat you up, educate parents and coaches #SportsSafety
Dr. David Geier
@trainerwebby @mnhopper1s @ATCHacks David, yours wasn’t the tweet I was referring to. Agree with what you said. #SportsSafety
Mike Hopper
@RXN_Athletic @shereebekker @SportsSafety 1st priority MUST be cooling! #SportsSafety Should have cold tub onsite if possible.
jb humphrey
@SportsSafety Q2 #sportssafety Play for an educated coach. Coach sets optimal practice times, acclimatization, nutrition, hydration, drills
Dr. David Geier
@shereebekker @SportsSafety @ProfTimNoakes I’d love to know more, so feel free to discuss whenever. Thanks! #SportsSafety
Coach & AD Magazine
Like point by @DrDavidGeier. We hear a lot about lack of preparation. Some coaches following offseason programs more closely. #SportsSafety
Dr. David Geier
@PT_ATC_CSCS Such a great point. Especially an educated coach & athletic trainer(s) working together to prevent heat illness #SportsSafety
jb humphrey
@DrDavidGeier Love it! It takes different leadership roles to be successful, and more than one mind works best to succeed w/ safety and fun.
sheree bekker
@DrDavidGeier @SportsSafety No worries! Would love to continue this chat too! #knowledgeispower #SportsSafety
Mike Hopper
@shereebekker @RXN_Athletic @SportsSafety Is some disagreement about this thought. Don’t have cites on me.. #SportsSafety
sheree bekker
@DrDavidGeier @SportsSafety PS: good place to start http://bjsm.bmj.com/content/40/7/567.short … #SportsSafety #waterlogged
STOP Sports Injuries
Q3: Should there be limits when it comes to games, practice in hot weather? Your experiences? #SportsSafety
David Webb
@SportsSafety #SportsSafety GCSD and SHSM protocols in place for me. Coaches know I am only authority in decision.
Kay Lathrop
Everyone training or coaching should join in on @SportsSafety #SportsSafety chat going on now.
Mike Hopper
@SportsSafety A3: Definitely practices. Games should be modified if needed. IE: adding water/rest breaks #SportsSafety
sheree bekker
@SportsSafety A3: Yes. But depends on environment and acclimatization. #SportsSafety
Dr. David Geier
@shereebekker I’ll check it out. Is this an area of study for you? #SportsSafety
Mike Hopper
@trainerwebby I have one, but need to get out to field. Plan to have it filled AND WP in ATR ready as well.. #AT4ALL #SportsSafety
Coach & AD Magazine
Many state assoc. beginning to regulate practices in heat but coaches must be educated enough to know what’s safe/what not. #SportsSafety
Alasdair Dempsey
@SportsSafety often in Aus will have extra drinks breaks or reduced halfs if hot in tournaments so games can be completed #sportssafety
sheree bekker
@DrDavidGeier not per se, but of great interes. Study area is Sports Safety policies – so very relevant! #SportsSafety
Dr. David Geier
@coach_ad South Carolina has instituted acclimitization protocol for summer practices. Good start. Education still crucial #SportsSafety
Alasdair Dempsey
#SportsSafety Q3 Define hot. Last comp I was involved in heat rule kicked in at 37deg Celcius
Brad Morgan MEd AT
Last year we had a county all star football game in mid June and 90° heat. Coach told me we won’t follow state HS guidelines.. #SportsSafety
sheree bekker
@DrDavidGeier @coach_ad #Education agreed, education is a massive factor for proper implementation! #SportsSafety
Brad Morgan MEd AT
..because this was not a state association sanctioned event. I was unaware a jury would care about that point. #SportsSafety
STOP Sports Injuries
@ARDempsey Good point. Using the word “hot” to see how people address temperature increases (and what constitutes “extreme”). #SportsSafety
sheree bekker
@SportsSafety A3 again, SunSmart practices must also be considered #SportsSafety
Dr. David Geier
@PirateATC Exactly Brad. Just because legally you can play in extreme heat doesn’t mean you should #SportsSafety
Brad Morgan MEd AT
@DrDavidGeier Completely I’ll-advised since there was no acclimation to the heat and they were practicing in full pads. #SportsSafety
Dr. David Geier
@PirateATC Where are the parents when these types of things happen? They need to speak up #SportsSafety
Brad Morgan MEd AT
@DrDavidGeier It was recently graduated seniors. All of them drove to the practices. Parents did show until the game on Friday night.
David Webb
@DrDavidGeier @PirateATC going Jerry Maguire. “Show me the money!” Or scholarship.
Brad Morgan MEd AT
@trainerwebby @DrDavidGeier That’s just it. There was nothing to be gained. It was just last year’s seniors playing one last game.
STOP Sports Injuries
A number of responses this evening have dealt with hydration – let’s finish out the hour with that topic. #SportsSafety
STOP Sports Injuries
Q4: How do you address hydration with young athletes? What kinds of drinks are best – and how much? #SportsSafety
Mike Hopper
@SportsSafety A4 Water 1st, Gatorade/PowerAde also advisable for long-term activities. #SportsSafety Sweat is not just water…
sheree bekker
@SportsSafety A4: Always only drink to thirst! But this is not to say that kids do not need to be reminded often! #SportsSafety
sheree bekker
@SportsSafety A4: water! A little apple/grape juice diluted w a lot of water and a little salt=great too! Choc millk after 🙂 #SportsSafety
Dr. David Geier
@shereebekker @SportsSafety @mnhopper1s Do you guys recommend sports drinks even for short periods of exercise? #SportsSafety
Mike Hopper
@DrDavidGeier Could go either way.. #SportsSafety Beats most other drinks. I personally like G2 products…
Alasdair Dempsey
A4 #SportsSafety – you can always go the slushies beforehand. Double benifit of pre-cooling + hydration
STOP Sports Injuries
#SportsSafety RT @CabotAT know their sweat rate, weigh in/out, urine color, buddy system,
Dr. David Geier
@mnhopper1s Just wondered about the calories #SportsSafety
jb humphrey
@SportsSafety #SportsSafety q3 sunburns, muscle cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke can be largely prevented with protective measures.
sheree bekker
@DrDavidGeier @SportsSafety @mnhopper1s Do not believe in sports drinks at all.Gatorade funded myth of drinking before thirst. #SportsSafety
sheree bekker
@ARDempsey fantastic idea! #SportsSafety
Alasdair Dempsey
@shereebekker link to a review on pre-cooling – http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23249542 Not my area but any excuse to hire a slushy machine #SportsSafety
STOP Sports Injuries
We are winding down tonight’s chat but feel free to keep those tweets rolling – and thanks again everyone for joining! #SportsSafety
jb humphrey
@SportsSafety #sportssafety Q4 Hydration issues: dehydration and hyponatremia. Not a 1 size fits all issue. Varies by wt, diet, training…
Mike Hopper
@shereebekker @DrDavidGeier disagree. Need some form of electrolyte drink. GSSI improves their products thru science research..
sheree bekker
@mnhopper1s @DrDavidGeier not for short periods of exercise. Might have some benefit for longer periods over 1 hour in duration with no food
Dr. David Geier
@mnhopper1s @shereebekker I know idea of sports drinks for kids is controversial. Just curious what everyone thinks #SportsSafety
sheree bekker
@DrDavidGeier @mnhopper1s Great sharing ideas! Thanks!
dpcassell
@DrDavidGeier @mnhopper1s @shereebekker I’m against. Unless you’re in extreme heat or elite sport. Necessary electrolytes come from diet.
STOP Sports Injuries
We host these chats monthly, but encourage use of the #SportsSafety tag to talk about youth sports issues 24-7 (at least most of those 24)!
STOP Sports Injuries
We will be back at the same time (9 PM ET) on July 10th to discuss sports injury response (from sidelines and beyond). #SportsSafety
Dr. David Geier
@SportsSafety That should be a great topic. I look forward to it! Thanks everyone! #SportsSafety
Mike Hopper
@DrDavidGeier @SportsSafety Definitely looking forward to that one! Hopefully I can make it! #AT4ALL #SportsSafety
sheree bekker
@SportsSafety will try to make it and get @CarolineFinch involved! #SportsSafety
Mike Hopper
@SportsSafety Have you discussed importance of pre-participation exams in the past? #SportsSafety
RXN_AthlPerformance
Great chat tonight! Lots of debate. As nutrition/exercise student I can appreciate how complex this topic is. Thank you! #SportsSafety
STOP Sports Injuries
@shereebekker @CarolineFinch Thanks for joining, Sheree! Enjoyed your tweets. #SportsSafety
JJ Elle (0jj0)
@SportsSafety Thank you!! #SportsSafety
STOP Sports Injuries
@mnhopper1s Not in tweet chat form. We will be doing a fall sports prep in September that could be a great time to include. #SportsSafety
jb humphrey
@Sportssafety #SportsSafety So many resources, and this looks like a great model for school/academic implementation.
sheree bekker
@SportsSafety great learning from everyone! #SportsSafety
Remember to join us for the #SportsSafety tweetchats! If you are interested, follow me on Twitter and follow STOP Sports Injuries as well!
