From: Communications [ mailto:communications@ussoccer.org ]
Sent: Wednesday, May 08, 2002 11:42 AM
To: Coaches Organization
Subject: U.S. Soccer Issues Guidelines to Prevent Heat Illness in Young
Players
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- Contact: Cindy Meier; 630-778-6157
meiercindy@aol.com ;
Jim Moorhouse;312-528-1240
U.S. SOCCER FEDERATION ISSUES GUIDELINES TO PREVENT
DANGEROUS HEAT ILLNESS IN YOUNG PLAYERS
Key to Prevention is Being Sure Children Drink Enough Fluids
CHICAGO - May 8, 2002 - Children are more susceptible to heat
illness than adults. With this in mind and summer heat approaching, the
U.S. Soccer Federation - the governing body of all soccer in the United
States - has taken a leadership role to develop and distribute Youth Soccer
Heat Stress Guidelines for youth coaches and parents.
The goal is to help prevent the potentially deadly effects of heat
illness among the 14 million U.S. children who play soccer.
The guidelines provide coaches with an overview of the latest
research and information regarding: 1) the physiological factors and
soccer-specific factors that place young athletes at risk for heat illness,
2) heat illness prevention techniques and 3) the signs and symptoms of
dehydration and heat illness.
"As a US Soccer coach for more than 20 years, I think it's critical
to educate coaches, parents and young players about heat illness, which is
the most preventable sports injury, " said John Ellinger, head coach, U.S.
Under-17 Men's National Soccer Team.
To ensure the key points from the guidelines are memorable for
coaches, parents and kids, the U.S. Soccer Federation has developed the
acronym - G.O.A.L. - which stands for:
· Get acclimated - active kids' (and adults') bodies need time to
gradually adapt to increased exposure to high temperatures and humidity.
During this eight to 10-day acclimation process, it's especially important
for kids to drink enough fluids.
· On a schedule, drink up - thirst isn't an accurate indicator of
fluid needs. Young athletes should be encouraged to drink on a schedule or
at regular intervals before they become thirsty.
· Always bring a Gatorade - especially during games and practices in
the heat, replacing electrolytes and providing energy is crucial to keeping
kids safe and going strong to enjoy their games.
· Learn the warning signs of dehydration and heat illness - if
someone becomes fatigued, dizzy, nauseous or has a headache during exercise
in the heat, have them stop, rest and drink fluids. Seek medical attention
if symptoms persist.
Fluid Guidelines
As one of the best means to preventing heat illness, The U.S. Soccer
Federation recommends parents and coaches ensure children are well hydrated
before practice and games. During activity, young athletes should drink on
a schedule - before they feel thirsty - and consume five to nine ounces of
fluid every 20 minutes (a child who weighs less than 90 lbs. needs five
ounces of fluid and a child weighing more than 90 lbs. needs nine ounces of
fluid).
"It's crucial that kids drink enough fluids before, during and after
activity," said Oded Bar-Or, MD, a contributor to the development of the
guidelines and professor of pediatrics and director of the Children's
Exercise and Nutrition Centre at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario,
Canada. "Research we conducted shows that when drinking plain water,
children don't drink enough to avoid dehydration. Compared to water, kids
will drink 90 percent more of a flavored sports drink with electrolytes like
Gatorade to fully rehydrate. It's important parents and coaches have these
types of fluids available for children during activity."
The U.S. Soccer Federation Youth Heat Stress Guidelines were
developed under the consultation of Oded Bar-Or, MD, professor of pediatrics
and director of the Children's Exercise and Nutrition Centre at McMaster
University and Bill Prentice, PhD, PT, ATC, professor of exercise and sports
science and trainer for women's soccer at the University of North Carolina.
The U.S. Soccer Federation plans to incorporate the Youth Soccer
Heat Stress Guidelines into its coaches' curriculum that will reach
thousands of youth soccer coaches across the country.
Founded in 1913, U.S. Soccer is one of the world's first
organizations to be affiliated with FIFA, the Federation Internationale de
Football Association, soccer's world governing body. As the governing body
of soccer in all its forms in the United States, U.S. Soccer has helped
chart the course for the sport in the USA for 88 years. In that time, the
Federation's mission statement has been very simple and very clear: to make
soccer, in all its forms, a preeminent sport in the United States and to
continue the development of soccer at all recreational and competitive
levels.
For additional information about the U.S. Soccer Federation, please visit
its web site at www.ussoccer.com .
http://www.ussoccer.com/news/fullstory.sps?iNewsid=15608