The following are recommendations from the National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA) to follow to reduce the risk of injuries and illnesses from cold-weather activity.
Cold-weather injuries are classified into three categories: decreased core temperature (e.g., hypothermia), freezing injuries of the extremities (e.g., frostbite) and nonfreezing injuries of the extremities (e.g., chilblains).
"Many cases of cold-related injuries are preventable and can be successfully treated if such conditions are properly recognized and appropriate care is provided in a timely manner," says Thomas A. Cappaert, PhD, ATC, CSCS, CES, associate professor of athletic training/sports medicine, Central Michigan University, and lead author of a position statement on winter sports safety in the NATA's Journal of Athletic Training.
"We're hoping to educate parents, coaches, school administrators, employers, athletic trainers and other health care professionals and those who exercise or work in the cold about what can be done to prevent these types of serious injuries."
According to NATA's position statement, many people engage in fitness pursuits and physical activity year-round in environments with cold, wet or windy conditions (or a combination of these), thereby placing themselves at risk of cold injury. In fact, cold injuries and illnesses can affect any physically active individual, including military personnel, traditional winter-sport athletes and outdoor-sport athletes. Traditional team sports like football, baseball, softball, soccer, lacrosse and track and field also have seasons that extend into late fall or early winter or begin in early spring, when weather conditions can increase susceptibility to cold injury.
To guard against illness and injury caused by outdoor activity in cold weather, NATA recommends implementing a risk management process that includes strategies for preventing, recognizing and treating cold injuries.
In addition, when getting ready to exercise in cold weather, one should follow the following preventive guidelines:
The following is a summary of the cold-related ailments, as well as their prevention and preferred treatment, as outlined in the Journal of Athletic Training article:
Signs and Symptoms
The signs and symptoms of mild hypothermia include:
Signs of moderate and severe hypothermia include:
Treatment
Signs and Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of superficial frostbite include
Signs and symptoms of deep frostbite include:
Treatment
The decision to re-warm a subject is contingent upon resources available and likelihood of re-freezing. Re-warming can occur at room temperature or by placing the affected tissue against another person's warm skin. Re-warming should be performed slowly, and water temperatures greater than 98.6F to 104.6F (36.6C-40.6C) should be avoided.
Signs and symptoms
Chilblain occurs with exposure to cold, wet conditions for more than 60 minutes at temperatures less than 50.6F (16.6C). It can be identified by the presence of small red bumps, swelling, tenderness, itching and pain.
Treatment
Signs and Symptoms
Occurs with exposure to cold, wet environments for 12 hours to three or four days. Symptoms include:Children should take similar preventive measures as those suggested for adults, but they should also be encouraged to take more frequent breaks from a cold environment, especially water immersion.
Similarly, as adults reach the age of 50, the ability to tolerate cold decreases and risk of hypothermia increases. Older athletes are also more likely to have chronic health concerns, such as diabetes, hypothyroidism, hypopituitarism or hypertension, which can increase the likelihood of cold injury; therefore, older athletes should carefully and conservatively follow all prevention and recognition recommendations.
"We are not invincible when it comes to exercise in the cold," Cappaert, said. "In extreme cases, if medical care is not provided in a timely manner, serious long-term damage can occur."
Source: National Athletic Trainers' Association.
Revised December 13, 2011
Links:
[1] https://www.momsteam.com/node/2062
[2] https://www.momsteam.com/health-safety/general-safety/injury-prevention/preventing-injuries-in-winter-sports
[3] https://www.momsteam.com/health-safety/holiday-winter-water-safety-tips
[4] https://www.momsteam.com/health-safety/hydration-during-winter-sports-just-as-essential