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Citation
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Kerr ZY, Yeargin SW, Hosokawa Y, Hirschhorn RM, Pierpoint LA, Casa DJ. J. Sport Rehab. 2019; ePub(ePub): 1-7. |
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Affiliation
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5 Korey Stringer Institute, Department of Kinesiology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT. |
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Abstract
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CONTEXT:: Recent data on exertional heat illness (EHI) in high school sports is limited, yet warranted to identify specific settings with the highest risk of EHI.
OBJECTIVE:: To describe the epidemiology of EHI in high school sports during the 2012/13-2016/17 academic years. SETTING:: Aggregate injury and exposure data collected from athletic trainers working in high school sports in the United States (US). PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS:: High school athletes during the 2012/13-2016/17 academic years. INTERVENTION:: High School Reporting Information Online surveillance system data from the 2012/13-2016/17 academic years were analyzed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:: EHI counts, rates per 10,000 athlete-exposures (AE), and distributions were examined by sport, event type, and US census region. EHI management strategies provided by athletic trainers were analyzed. Injury rate ratios (IRRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) compared EHI rates.
RESULTS:: Overall, 300 EHI were reported, for an overall rate of 0.13/10,000AE (95%CI: 0.11-0.14). Of these, 44.3% occurred in American football preseason practices; 20.7% occurred in American football preseason practices with a registered air temperature ≥90°F and ≥1 hour into practice. The EHI rate was higher in American football than all other sports (0.52 vs. 0.04/10,000AE; IRR=11.87; 95%CI: 9.22-15.27). However, girls' cross country had the highest competition EHI rate (1.18/10,000AE). The EHI rate was higher in the South US census region than all other US census regions (0.23 vs. 0.08/10,000AE; IRR=2.96; 95%CI: 2.35-3.74). Common EHI management strategies included: having medical staff on-site at the onset of EHI (92.7%); removing athlete from play (85.0%); and giving athlete fluids via the mouth (77.7%).
CONCLUSIONS:: American football continues to have the highest overall EHI rate although the high competition EHI rate in girls' cross country merits additional examination. Regional differences in EHI incidence, coupled with sport-specific variations in management, may highlight the need for region- and sport-specific EHI prevention guidelines.
Language: en |