EHI: Types, signs/symptoms, treatment
Exercise-associated muscle cramps (EAMCs)
- Painful, involuntary muscle contractions during or immediately after exercise
- Stop activity, hydrate, stretch and massage the affected muscle, return to competition as tolerated
Heat Syncope
- Inability to continue exercising due to heat stress and cardiovascular insufficiency
- Remove excess clothing and take to shaded area
- Cool immediately with wet/cold towels, ice bags to neck/axilla/groin, fans, ice water immersion if needed, begin rehydration
Heat Exhaustion
- Inability to continue exercising due to heat stress and cardiovascular insufficiency
- Remove excess clothing and take to shaded area
- Cool immediately with wet/cold towels, ice bags to neck/axilla/groin, fans, ice water immersion if needed, begin rehydration
Exertional Heat Stroke (EHS)
- Exercise-induced hyperthermia (core body temp > 104/105˚ F), significant central nervous system dysfunction
- Typically seen in young athletes/military engaging in strenuous physical activity who can’t dissipate heat production
- Seen most often in hot and humid environments (July through October)
- Most commonly occurs in American football players and runners
- Can be seen in cooler climates during heat wave due to lack of acclimatization
- May be profusely sweating
Prevention of Exertional Heat Illnesses
- Ensure Athletic trainers (ATs) are on site during athletic activities
- Adapt athletes to exercise in heat (acclimatization)
- Follow appropriate work to rest guidelines
- Drink when thirsty, drink to keep weight at baseline, drink to keep urine clear/light yellow
- Avoid hottest/most humid part of the day
- Follow a well-developed/well-rehearsed emergency action plan if emergency occurs
Pre-Hospital/Transport Care of Exertional Heat Stroke
- Rapid recognition, rapid assessment, rapid cooling, rapid advanced care
- Cold water immersion on-site
- Cool First, Transport Second
Hydration Guidelines
- Pre-exercise hydration – 350-500 mL 2-3 hours before exercise
- Hydration during exercise – 200-300 mL every 20 minutes while exercising
- Post-exercise hydration – replenish lost body fluids, carbohydrates, electrolytes and protein
Schedule an Appointment
352-273-7001
Contact us to schedule an appointment to be evaluated for a sports-related injury with one of our sports medicine providers.
UF Health Sports Medicine Providers
| Provider | Specialty |
|---|---|
| Kevin Farmer, MD | UF Team Physician — Sports Medicine Surgeon |
| Joshua Reside, MD | UF Team Physician — Sports Medicine Surgeon |
| Ryan Roach, MD | UF Team Physician — Sports Medicine Surgeon |
| Ridhi Sachdev, MD | UF Team Physician — Sports Medicine Surgeon |
| Joshua Altman, MD | Primary Care Sports Medicine |
| Manuel Britto, MD | Primary Care Sports Medicine |
| Sarah Chrabaszcz, MD | Primary Care Sports Medicine |
| Sara Gould, MD | Primary Care Sports Medicine |
| Ryan Mark, MD | Primary Care Sports Medicine |
| Alejandro Sanoja, MD | Primary Care Sports Medicine |
| Nicholas Smith, MD | Primary Care Sports Medicine |
| David Tran, MD | Primary Care Sports Medicine |