Rowing is an outdoor sport and environmental exposure should be considered in assuring the health and safety of rower, and couches. Heat, cold, water quality, sun exposure, and Lightning are all important exposure issues
Heat related illnesses:
A highly aerobic sport such as rowing exposes athletes to risks of heat related illness if practices and races ore held in hot Weather. When possible, training sessions should avoid the heat of the day. Athletes should stay hydrated as dehydration makes heat exposure more dangerous. Heat exhaustion is characterized by clammy skin, nausea, headache, but no changes in ability to think and understand- Removal from the heat, re-hydration, and active cooling with ice packs, water mist, or an immersion bath usually result in rapid improvement However, heat stroke is much more dangerous. It is associated with very high body temperatures and changes in mental function. The changes in mental
function, such as confusion, distinguish heat stroke from heat exhaustion. An athlete with possible heat stroke needs to be transferred to a hospital quickly, as there is a significant risk of death Measures token to help a victim with heat exhaustion wastes valuable time for a heat stroke victim! so look for tell-to le signs of heat stroke
Water Quality:
Splash from oars presents a theoretical risk of exposure to infectious diseases from poor water quality. Rowers who train or race on questionable bodies of water might consider immunization for Hepatitis A, a viral disease associated with poor sanitation. Showering after rowing is important. Proper care of open wounds, such as blisters, is more important if the water quality is bad Rower, should never drink from the water where they row, since even the cleanest Looking water could cause disease usually vomiting and diarrhea.
Sun exposure:
Rowers and coaches are exposed to higher intensity of sun than other athletes who do not train on the water. Reflection of the suns rays off the water results in increased exposure to F harmful solar radiation. Again care should be taken to avoid the heat of the day as much as possible Use of sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses can help. Still, rowers and coaches should
watch their skin carefully for development of new spots that could be potential skin cancers. A healthy tan is not really a healthy thing.
Stormy weather:
Participants in any boating sport must be vigilant about stormy weather. Skipping a practice or going inside is a small price to pay for the security of avoiding potentially life-threatening storms. Stormy weather can result in lightning strikes and dangerously high water, which could swamp small boats. When in doubt, it is best to err on the side of caution and cancel or postpone events-
Kris Karlson, MD is a physician working at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, NH. She was a three-time world champion and rowed at the '92 Olympics.
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