Soccer Footwork Drills

Speed and agility training in the summertime means teams working out and practicing in the heat. Thus, it is important that you know that youngsters do not adapt to high temperatures like adults. Don’t underestimate the significance of the warning signs for heat illnesses and preventing them. These illnesses can be any type such as heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke. If your team is doing strength training workouts, as an adult, you need to keep in mind how dangerous heat illness can be to your charges. In actuality, youngsters are the most vulnerable to heat illness.  The death rate for heat stroke in children is anywhere from 17 to 70 pct. The seriousness of the ailments and the child’s age are important factors to consider.

Youngsters get heat sick when their bodies are not able to cool down.  Young people are more susceptible to heat illness because they can’t adjust as quickly or as well to changes in temperatures as do adults. Young people are more at risk to heat sickness since they do not adapt as fast or as efficiently to changes in heat like adults. They also produce additional heat when they are active. Youngsters also perspire at a greater body temperature plus they sweat less than adults.  Those kids, whom are heavy, have continuing illnesses and take a number of medications are even more susceptible to high heat conditions during practice.

SIGNS OF ILLNESS
Heat Cramps – sore, involuntary muscle spasms, ordinarily in the gastrocnemius or hamstring tissues (the muscles at the back of the calf muscles and thighs)

Dehydration – fatigue, thirst,  dizziness, less-frequent urination,  sloppiness, escalated heart rate and respiration, parched skin,  dry mouth and mucous membranes

Heat Exhaustion – clammy, blanched skin, sweaty,  tiredness (fatigue), headache and or dizziness

Heat Stroke – loss  of consciousness, confusion or hallucinations, headache, agitation, high body temperature, absence of sweating, deep or shallow breathing, frail pulse rate, seizures

PREVENTION
Be cognizant that temperatures over 80 degrees make conditions favorable to heat unwellness.  Also be aware that high humidity reduces your body’s ability to get rid of excess heat by sweating. In order to prevent this illness acclimate the child to the heat, increase intensity over 10-14 days, no heavy work for the first week Morning or early evening are the cooler parts of the day and optimal for practices. Ensure young people rest often. Before practice, hydration is strongly recommended. It is very important to have plenty of water on hand during practice. Minors need to drink fluids every 20 minutes while working out, whether thirsty or not. Liquids to keep away from are caffeine and everything carbonated. With clothing, have kids wear well-ventilated, sweat-absorbent and light-weight.

If your kid or your team is doing agility training as a manager or parent, you require to be aware of the seriousness of heat-related conditions.  Respect the high temperatures or there could be serious physical consequences.