Chapter 7 Understanding the Potential Dangers of Adverse Environmental Conditions

CHAPTER 7
Understanding the Potential Dangers
of Adverse Environmental Conditions
OVERVIEW
An athlete's performance can be adversely affected by environmental stress and
can, in some instances, pose serious health concerns. Every individual that works
with athletes should have a thorough understanding of these factors and their
relationship to the health of the body. The environmental concerns that can affect
performance are hyperthermia, hypothermia, exposure to the sun, and electrical
storms. Health care providers as well as support staff working with athletes should
know how to prevent injury or illness from environmental factors.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

After completing Chapter 7, the student should be able to:

Define the term hyperthermia and describe the clinical signs associated with
heat cramps, heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and heat syncope.
Explain how each heat related illness is treated and how they can be prevented.
Explain hyponatremia and describe the clinical signs as well as treatment for this
condition.
Discuss the importance of fluid replacement and how this can be accomplished.
Define the term hypothermia and describe the clinical signs of frostnip and
frostbite.
Explain how each cold related disorder is treated and how they can be
prevented.
Explain how an athlete should be protected from exposure to the sun.
Explain how the heat index is monitored and what recommendations are given
for practice sessions based on these findings.
Describe precautions that should be taken in an electrical storm.
Explain how and why the flash-to-bang method is used and how to apply the
findings.

KEY TERMINOLOGY

Acclimatization - The process of becoming accustomed to a new environment

Conductive heat exchange - Physical contact with other objects can result in
either heat loss or heat gain
Convective heat exchange - Body heat can be either lost or gained, depending
on the temperature of the circulating medium
Evaporative heat loss - Sweat glands in the skin allow water to be transported to
the surface where it then evaporates, taking large quantities of heat with it
Hyperthermia - Condition in which the body has abnormally high temperature
Hyponatremia - Fluid/electrolyte disorder, resulting in a low concentration of
sodium in the blood
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Chapter 7 Understanding the Potential Dangers of Adverse Environmental Conditions

Hypothermia - Condition in which the body has abnormally low temperature

Psychrometer A device used to measure the wet bulb globe temperature
(WBGT) index
Radiant heat exchange - Radiant heat from sunshine will cause an increase in
body temperature
SPF (sun protection factor) - Sunscreen effectiveness in absorbing the sunburninducing radiation

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Chapter 7 Understanding the Potential Dangers of Adverse Environmental Conditions

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. How does the body handle external and internal temperature changes?
2. How can hyperthermia and hypothermia be prevented?
3. What immediate treatment is necessary if you suspect a heat or cold related
disorder?
4. How do sunscreens protect the skin and when are they needed?
5. What procedures should be followed during a lightning storm?

CLASS ACTIVITIES
1. Demonstrate the use of a sling and/or digital psychrometer and discuss how it
can be used to determine when to practice and how to dress for practice, in
order to prevent heat illnesses.
2. Invite an elite athlete to class to discuss training procedures during times of
excessive heat and cold. Also, when traveling to compete, how did the athlete
acclimatize to the environment before competition?

WORKSHEET ANSWERS
Matching
1.
2.
3.
4.

d
f
e
a

5. g
6. b
7. c

Short Answer
8. Conduction (direct contact with a cooler object), convection (contact with a
cooler air or water mass), radiation (heat generated from metabolism), and
evaporation (sweat evaporating from the skin surface)
9. Cold drinks
10.Individuals with large muscle mass, overweight individuals, dehydrated
individuals, individuals with a previous heat related incidence, children and older
adults, individuals with poor fitness levels and those with a febrile condition.
11.Clinically, the victim of heat exhaustion will collapse and manifest profuse
sweating, flushed skin, mildly elevated temperature, dizziness, hyperventilation,
and a rapid pulse.
12.Immediate treatment of heat exhaustion requires obtaining a core temp reading,
via rectal temperature. Placing the athlete into a cool environment and giving
them fluids to ingest, including water and electrolyte drinks. Eventual IV
replacement of large quantities of fluid may be necessary.
13.Clinically, heat stroke is characterized by a sudden collapse with loss of
consciousness, flushed dry hot skin, shallow breathing, rapid strong pulse, and a
core body temperature of 104 F or higher.
14.Medical emergency, get the athlete to the hospital as soon as possible, immerse
in an ice water tub, apply air fan over body surface, massage limbs
15.Combination of low temperatures, wind, and dampness or wetness
16.Superficial involves only the skin and subcutaneous tissue. Deep is a serious
injury indicating tissues that are frozen and is a medical emergency.
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Chapter 7 Understanding the Potential Dangers of Adverse Environmental Conditions

17.Rapid rewarming is required, including hot drinks, heating pads, or hot water
bottles that are 100F to 110F. Transport to a hospital.
Listing
18.Gradual acclimatization
19.Identifying susceptible individuals
20.Lightweight uniforms
21.Taking temperature/humidity readings and adjusting practices accordingly
22.Keeping weight records
23.Unrestricted fluid replacement
24.Premature aging of the skin
25.Skin cancer
Essay
26-31.The flash-to-bang method provides an estimation of how far away lightning is
occurring. From the time lightning is sighted, count the number of seconds
until the bang occurs, and divide by 5 to calculate the number of miles away
the lightning is occurring. When the flash-to-bang count is at 30 there is
inherent danger and conditions should be closely monitored. When the count
is 15, everyone should leave the field immediately and seek shelter. (For
Guidelines see Athletic Injury Management Checklist with regards to electrical
storms, page 133).

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2013 by McGraw-Hill Education. This is proprietary material solely for authorized instructor use. Not authorized for sale or distribution in any
manner. This document may not be copied, scanned, duplicated, forwarded, distributed, or posted on a website, in whole or part.

Chapter 7 Understanding the Potential Dangers of Adverse Environmental Conditions

NAME ______________________________
SECTION__________

CHAPTER 7 WORKSHEET
Understanding the Potential Dangers of Adverse
Environmental Considerations
MATCHING: Match the following terms with the appropriate response.
______
______
______
______
______
______
______

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Acclimatization
Frostnip
Heat cramps
Frostbite
Heat exhaustion
Heat stroke
Hyponatremia

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.

g.

A condition due to cold exposure;

skin is pale, hard, cold, and waxy
A life threatening condition due to
failure of the thermoregulatory;
sweating ceases.
A condition that occurs due to a
low concentration of sodium in the
blood
Adaptation to a new temperature,
altitude, climate, environment, or
situation
Painful muscle spasms, primarily
due to dehydration
A condition that commonly occurs
with high winds and severe cold,
affecting the nose, ears, fingers
and toes.
A condition characterized by
profuse sweating and excessive
thirst

SHORT ANSWER: Answer the following questions with a brief response.

8. The body dissipates heat through what four mechanisms?
9. Which empties into the intestines faster, cold drinks or drinks at room
temperature?
10.Which individuals are more susceptible to heat related problems?
11.What signs and symptoms would be present in a person suffering from heat
exhaustion?
12.How would you care for someone who has heat exhaustion?
13.What signs and symptoms are present in heat stroke?
14.How would you care for someone in heat stroke?
15.What combination of environmental factors predisposes individuals to
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manner. This document may not be copied, scanned, duplicated, forwarded, distributed, or posted on a website, in whole or part.

Chapter 7 Understanding the Potential Dangers of Adverse Environmental Conditions

hypothermia?
16.Describe the difference between superficial frostbite and deep frostbite.
17.How do you treat someone suffering from deep frostbite?

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manner. This document may not be copied, scanned, duplicated, forwarded, distributed, or posted on a website, in whole or part.

Chapter 7 Understanding the Potential Dangers of Adverse Environmental Conditions

LISTING: List six actions that can be taken to prevent heat illness.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
List the most serious effects of long term exposure to UVR.
24.
25.
ESSAY:
26-31.Explain the flash-to-bang method and explain the guidelines that should be
followed during an electrical storm.

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2013 by McGraw-Hill Education. This is proprietary material solely for authorized instructor use. Not authorized for sale or distribution in any
manner. This document may not be copied, scanned, duplicated, forwarded, distributed, or posted on a website, in whole or part.