The NJSIAA believes that the health and safety of all student-athletes is an essential component of its education-based philosophy. In its decision-making, the NJSIAA and its Medical Advisory Committee apply evidence-based health data to ensure the health and safety of all student-athletes while maintaining the integrity of the sport and participation equity for all.
As we head into the fall 2024 preseason, particularly with the extreme heat we are seeing across the country, I want to remind everyone that it is critical to alert your member schools that this is the peak time of the year for risk of heat-related illnesses and deaths! A commitment to advanced planning and preparation are essential for ensuring the implementation of best practice prevention and management approaches that reduce the risk of death and disability.
Repeated alerts are appropriate over the next few months as temperatures may fluctuate. Just before a predicted “heat wave” coaches and school administrators are best reminded through emails and social media of the importance of activity and practice modifications. In addition, remember that this is not just a football issue. Any student participating in an outdoor sport or activity in the heat is vulnerable to heat illness, including participants in activities such as marching band, cheer and those players practicing in hot gyms without air conditioning.
With increased use of Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) devices, it is important that state associations continue to educate their member schools on new policies and procedures they have put in place on heat acclimatization and heat illness. See NFHS Foundation video on use of the WBGT at https://nfhslearn.com/library/videos/wet-bulb-globe-thermometer-educational-video
In addition to issues related to heat, Air Quality continues to be a problem in many areas of the country. During times of suspected high air pollution, the Air Quality Index (AQI) should be checked prior to all practices and contests. A particular location’s AQI can be found at https://www.airnow.gov
School administrators, athletic directors, coaches, parents and students should also be made aware of the following resources from the NFHS and the NFHS Sports Medicine Advisory Committee (SMAC):
NFHS “Heat Acclimatization and Heat Illness Prevention Position Statement”
https://www.nfhs.org/media/5919613/nfhs-heat-acclimatization-april-2022-final.pdf
https://www.nfhs.org/media/5919614/nfhs-hydration-position-statement-april-2022-final.pdf
NFHS “Heat Illness Prevention” Online Course from NFHSLearn.com
https://nfhslearn.com/courses/heat-illness-prevention-2
NFHS “The Collapsed Student” Online Course from NFHSLearn.com
https://nfhslearn.com/courses/the-collapsed-athlete
NFHS “Sudden Cardiac Arrest
https://nfhslearn.com/courses/sudden-cardiac-arrest
NFHS “Position Statement on Physical Activity, Air Quality and Wildfires
https://www.nfhs.org/media/7212236/nfhs-position-statement-on-air-quality-april-2023-final.pdf
Other resources are available on the following link to the NFHS Sports Medicine web page including those from the National Athletic Trainer’s Association and the Korey Stringer Institute: https://www.nfhs.org/resources/sports-medicine/
It is crucial that the heat acclimatizing guidelines are strictly followed as published by the state association, with extra vigilance during the first 3-4 days of any transition or acclimatization period. This is the time when our students are most vulnerable to the heat. Although prevention is our goal, it is vital for personnel to be able to rapidly identify, assess and appropriately treat exertional heat stroke. Remember, cool first and transport second.
