Doctors Talk to NFL Teams about Player Safety

Associated Press—July 28, 2011   

Training in the full heat of summer is dangerous and can actually kill you. It is therefore important that athletes take precautions and avoid heat related problems.

NFL doctors and experts in heat-related illnesses spoke with each team this week. The message, delivered loud and clear: practice caution. 

Scientists at the Korey Stringer Institute caution athletes about exercising in the heat. Especially those athletes who train in a climate their bodies are not used to.

Stringer, an offensive lineman for the Vikings, died at 27 in August 2001 of exertional heat stroke. 

New York Giants associate team physician Dr. Scott Rodeo of Hospital for Special Surgery in New York emphasized the uncertainty permeating this offseason.
 
"This camp may be more challenging as athletes may not be in optimal physical condition due to lack of organized training activities during the recent lockout," Rodeo said. "Team medical staffs are just now examining the athletes for the first time in several months, so we need to take extra care in evaluating the athletes."
 
Doctors and trainers always emphasize hydration and rapid cooling during rigorous workouts. Will players, particularly fringe ones trying to make an early impression, heed the danger signs and not push themselves too far?

Read the full story at ESPN.com.