KSI Heat Acclimatization Guidelines by State

Evidence shows that exertional heat stroke is on the rise and is a real threat to the lives of athletes. It is currently among the top three reasons athletes die during sport. Having mandatory state guidelines for heat acclimatization provides a critical standard to protect athletes against exertional heat illnesses.

The majority of exertional heat stroke cases occur during the initial summer workouts when athletes are prepared neither to cope with the environmental conditions, nor the new physiological demands placed upon them during workout sessions. Heat acclimatization guidelines mandate that athletes be introduced slowly to environmental stressors during practice sessions, resulting in lowering the risk for exertional heat stroke.

The body of evidence supporting heat acclimatization is large. By not mandating heat acclimatization guidelines, states are failing to protect their athletes; and, in fact, are placing them at greater risk for exertional heat stroke and other heat-related illnesses. Coaches, school leadership, parents and legislators must push their states to establish guidelines or have inadequate guidelines revised. The Korey Stringer Institute staff is readily available to assist with this process and when reviewing states polices we utilize the guidelines set forth by the NATA in the consensus statement titled:

Preseason Heat-Acclimatization Guidelines for Secondary School Athletics
(Casa DJ, Csillan D. Preseason heat-acclimatization guidelines for secondary school athletics. J of Athl Train. 2009;44(3):332-333.)

Regrettably, athletes are still suffering and dying from exertional heat stroke; this can be changed – many lives can be saved by speaking up and supporting mandatory state guidelines for heat acclimatization.

Policies between the NCAA and high schools are very similar. Review a Comparison of NCAA and High School Heat Acclimatization Policies.

KSI Heat Acclimatization Guidelines by State

State Laws & Policies