Exercise in the Heat for Children and Adolescents. Statement from the Commission for Pediatric Sports Medicine, German Society for Sports Medicine and Prevention

Abstract

Regular physical activity and exercise are important for physiological and psychological development of children and adolescents. They also play a significant part in early prevention of cardiovascular disease. However, in adverse environmental conditions like hot weather and high humidity, exercise can be a risk factor in the development of different types of exertional heat illness (EHI; Table 1). The risk for EHI is greatest when wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) exceeds 28°C, but it also can occur in cool to moderate conditions (2). In high school athletes, an overall rate of 1.6 events per 100000 athletic exposures (AE), defined as one athlete participating in one game or practice, was reported (6). So, EHI occurs rarely, but it can cause relevant morbidity and even mortality, especially when diagnosis is delayed and adequate therapy is not initiated in time. Exertional heat stroke is the most frequent cause of Dr. med. Wolfgang Lawrenz Herzzentrum Duisburg Klinik für Kinderkardiologie – Angeborene Herzfehler Gerrickstr. 21, 47137 Duisburg, Germany : wolfgang.lawrenz@evkln.de SCHLÜSSELWÖRTER: Hitzetoleranz, Hitzekrankheit, Pubertät