HEAT STROKES AND ATHLETES

MARATHONER DIED OF HEAT STROKE

0n October 7, 2001 Luke died while running the Chicago Marathon. He was on Mile 25, nearly finished, and simply collapsed. But three months after his collapse near the finish line, a medical examiner’s study completed late last week confirmed what was initially suspected while running 26 miles at a blistering seven-minute-per-mile pace, his temperature had soared to 107 degrees, and he died of heat stroke. “He overdid it,” said a spokeswoman from the Cook County medical examiner’s office. “He pushed himself too hard.” When Roach of Seattle first collapsed, witnesses said, he got up and started running again. When he fell a second time, he was in cardiac arrest.

For beginning runners, desire to run farther and faster to meet goals sometimes causes them to bite off more than they can chew. That zeal often leads to minor injuries, such as stress fractures. But pushing too hard can also trigger sudden death, though it is very rare, especially in young runners. Heat stroke is not rare, but dying from it is, especially for a young, well-conditioned athlete running on a cool day. Unlike three high school and college football players who died from heat stroke in August, Roach’s death was not easily attributed to extreme outside temperatures, leaving doctors puzzled.

THE MARATHON RUNNER – GABRIELLE ANDERSEN SUFFERED HEAT PROSTRATION

Millions around the world watched as Gabriele Andersen, dehydrated, cramping and suffering from heat exhaustion at the end of the 1984 women’s Olympic marathon in Los Angeles ,dragged her body around the track inside the Los Angeles Coliseum. Andersen weaved and staggered through the final 400 meters of the 26.2-mile event. Technical director for the New York Marathon, determined that despite her appearance, Andersen was sweating, coherent and in no imminent danger. He allowed her to continue to the finish line where she collapsed in the arms of Coliseum officials. The image of Andersen, arms dangling limply by her side and with a facial expression frozen in a pose of pain, will forever be etched in the minds of all who watched her that day.

A medical doctor who watched the race said, “They were correct not to stop her. They tried to stop her, but she waved them of.”

From this it was a clear sign that the 39-year-old Andersen was not confused. She didn’t want to stop, and if somebody goes 26 miles in an Olympic marathon and is determined to finish, then surely she will continue. Andersen was lucky. With a body temperature in excess of 105 degrees, the failure of her vital organs and the likelihood of complete collapse of the body was just around the next turn.

You have to listen to your body.

Athletes have to monitor themselves, and stop and sit down when they feel sick. Hot summer weather is especially dangerous because runners often don’t recognize the early stages of heat injury until it is too late. When the body’s temperature rises and dehydration begins to set in, the amount of blood flowing to the brain causes the runner to become dizzy. Athletes have to monitor themselves, and stop and sit down when they feel sick.

TIPS TO AVOID HEAT STROKE

Heat stroke is a real concern for all athletes, but parents need to be extra conscious of young athletes who may not know when they need to take a break. Parents and coaches need to pay even more attention to those who play sports that require wearing heavy equipment, like football.

SUGGESTED TIPS:

1. Doctors advise runners and anyone working outside during hot weather to drink plenty of water before, during and after activity. The more hydrated, the longer and safer you can work in heat. Coaches and parents need to make sure unlimited amounts of water are available for athletes during practices and games. During physical activity in hot weather, try to schedule water breaks roughly every 20 minutes.
2. To quickly cool an overheated player: • Move the athlete to the shade or an air-conditioned space. • Remove all unnecessary clothing. • Consider placing the athlete on their side to maximize the surface area of the body that is exposed to the air and to help prevent aspiration if they vomit. • If available, apply ice packs to the athlete’s neck, armpits and groin regions. • Circulate air across the athlete’s skin using an electric fan or manual fanning. • Use a wet cloth or spray mister to keep skin and hair moist. • If the player begins to shiver, reduce the cooling efforts. • If the athlete is conscious and alert enough to safely drink, then rehydrate with water.
3. Listen to your body, it is talking to you. When you or someone else notice signs of a heat-related illness STOP immediately and start taking action.

Written by: MUNIBA FARHAT.