Heat illness is a general term used to describe the harmful effects on the human body of being exposed to high temperature and or humidity.
The training staffs at Burleson and Centennial were watching for any signs of heat illness beginning Monday morning as the Elks and Spartans hit the field to open fall football drills.
With the possibly of 100-plus degree temperatures all week, the coaching and training staffs at both schools decided to hold practices from 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. in an attempt the beat most of the heat.
“Our main concerns are dehydration, cramps and heat exhaustion,” said Centennial head trainer Ben Bowles. “Most of our players have been out in the sun in during summer conditioning so they should be acclimated to the heat.
But there are always some who spent their summer under air conditioning.”
The worries are the same at Burleson where head trainer Kaitlin Worley keeps an eye on the 200 or so players through her troop of student trainers.
“The student trainers are our eyes and ears since we can’t see everyone at once,” Worley said. “All of the student trainers have been taught about heat illness prevention and know the signs set out by the National Athletic Training Association.”
Burleson held a mid practice break each day under the stands at the Burleson ISD Stadium. Players had the opportunity to drink Gatorade, eat fruit and cool off before heading out to finish practice.
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http://www.burlesonstar.net/news/ci_28638725