In addition to educating young athletes about both the importance of hydration and the dangers of heat-related illness, ensuring that they drink enough fluids, and taking precautions to reduce the risk of heat injury in children, especially when they are exercising in hot and humid weather, parents and coaches need to watch children for signs and symptoms of impending heat illness:
- Fatigue and tiredness
- Chills
- Nausea
- Headache
- Disorientation
- Muscle cramping
- Lightheadedness
- Dizziness
- Thirst
- Grumpiness/irritability
- Feeling hot
- Trouble concentrating
A child continuing to exercise when experiencing any of these symptoms could suffer a heat illness (heat cramps, heat exhaustion, heat stroke).
