What Parents and Coaches Need to Know to Keep Athletes Safe to Succeed
By Alicia Wanek
My son will begin participating in middle school sports this coming year, which means I am navigating how to fit summer football and conditioning camps into our already busy schedule. We have always encouraged our kids to engage in sports, understanding that apart from fostering fitness and health, sports also teach teamwork, goal setting, and the ability to win gracefully or lose with dignity. Participation in sports is linked to reduced levels of depression and anxiety, along with improved social skills, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities.
Despite this knowledge, as a mom, I can’t help but think, “Isn’t it risky to play in this Texas heat?” and “Are the coaches watching over my child?” Given his tendency to play hard, I worry that he may push himself too far without asking for a break when he needs one. Although he gets tired of my reminders to stay hydrated and inform the coach if he feels unwell, there’s that one story you hear on the news every summer that reminds me it’s never too much to remind him.
In a state where summer temperatures can soar past a 130-degree heat index, heat stroke is a serious concern, particularly when outdoor practices—whether for sports or marching band—often occur during the hottest hours of the day. According to Dr. Troy Smurawa, M.D., Director of Pediatric Sports Medicine at the Children’s Health Andrews Institute for Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, athletes should have water breaks every 15 minutes. As a parent, it’s acceptable to communicate with coaches to ensure they promote hydration among the kids, but it’s just as vital to instill in your child the understanding that they can take a water break whenever needed, even if it’s not an official pause.
The progression of heat stroke can start off slowly, often beginning with heat exhaustion. It’s alarming to think about a child collapsing unexpectedly without any previous symptoms. Such was the case for Zachary Schrah, a healthy 16-year-old who collapsed on the football field in 2009 from sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). The Schrah family later discovered that Zac had died from a congenital heart condition called Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM), a frequent cause of SCA among young people and athletes. HCM is characterized by an abnormal thickening of the heart muscle, which can impede blood flow from the heart and strain its function.
Karen Schrah turned her tragedy into a mission by founding the non-profit Living for Zachary. Today, parents can arrange a “Living for Zachary Heart Screening” through The Heart Hospital Baylor Plano for youths aged 12-22 to help identify cardiac irregularities that could lead to Sudden Cardiac Arrest. To schedule an appointment for your child, call 1-800-4BAYLOR. If any issues are found, your child may be directed for additional testing. Facilities like Envision Imaging offer specialized heart CT scans, fluoroscopy, ultrasound, and angiography to diagnose concerns. They also provide walk-in X-ray services to quickly determine if your child has a fracture or merely a sprain after practice.
Another goal of Living for Zachary is to guarantee that youth organizations have Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) available onsite, along with trained personnel to operate them. The chances of survival increase to 70% if an AED is utilized within three minutes of a sudden cardiac arrest.
Ann Nunnally, a Plano mother, reflects, “I will never know if an AED could have saved my son’s life.” In 2004, her 16-year-old son Will collapsed during a summer school PE class while playing floor hockey. Despite attempts at CPR by a friend and the school nurse and his quick transport to the hospital, it was too late. Ann learned that an AED had been donated to the athletic department of all three high schools in the city just months before but was locked away, unknown and unused. Today, thanks to the efforts of Ann and others, every school in Texas has a protocol to ensure AEDs are accessible and staff members are trained to use them. It’s essential to confirm that any facility your child visits for camp, swimming, or practice has an AED readily available.
When it concerns the well-being of your child, prioritizing safety is paramount. Ultimately, being an advocate for your child is key. Don’t hesitate to take on the role of “that parent” who may seem overly protective. Also, educate your children about the signs of dehydration, heat stroke, or sudden cardiac arrest so they can recognize these symptoms in themselves and their friends. It is equally important to ensure that coaches are aware of these signs too, as they are still your children.
Warning Signs
Early signs of dehydration:
• Fatigue
• Decreased athletic performance
• Nausea
• Headache
• Apathy
• Irritability
• Thirst
What to do when dehydration is suspected:
Athletes displaying signs of dehydration should rest and consume water or sports drinks. If symptoms persist, or if the athlete feels dizzy or faint or has minimal urine output, medical attention should be sought. Immediate emergency treatment is necessary if the child is disoriented, unable to drink, or has pale skin.
Heat stroke symptoms include: A body temperature that rises dangerously high—above 104°F
• Absence of sweating
• Confusion, disorientation
• Flushed, hot, and dry skin
• Loss of consciousness
• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
• Rapid heartbeat and breathing
• Severe headache
• Seizures
• Weakness and/or dizziness
Before symptoms of heat stroke manifest, children often exhibit earlier signs of milder heat illnesses such as heat cramps and heat exhaustion. If your child complains of painful muscle cramps in their legs, arms, or abdomen after exercising in hot weather, take them to a cool location, provide fluids that contain salt (such as sports drinks), and gently stretch or massage the affected muscles.
Warning signs and symptoms of Sudden Cardiac Arrest: Fainting or seizure during or after physical activity
• Fainting or seizure triggered by emotional excitement, distress, or surprise
• Chest pain or discomfort/racing heartbeat
• Unexplained fainting or seizures
• Family history of heart disease
• Unusual shortness of breath
• Unusual fatigue/tiredness
• Dizziness/lightheadedness during or after physical activity
• Family history of unexpected sudden death during physical activity or during seizures, or any unexplained sudden death of an otherwise healthy family member under age 50
Call 911 immediately if any of these signs and/or symptoms appear life-threatening. Otherwise, consult a physician promptly if you or someone you know exhibits one or more of these signs and/or symptoms.
Courtesy of Living for Zachary/Parent Health Watch LivingforZachary.org/
Courtesy of Children’s Health Andrews Institute for Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine
