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WATE Speaks with KOC’s Dr. Kyle Boden on Athlete Safety in Summer Heat
WATE spoke with KOC sports medicine physician Kyle Boden about how to protect student-athletes playing sports in the summer heat.
Here are excerpts from the interview and story:
This summer the heat has been intense, with temperatures running high across the region. For many young athletes, football practice has already started just before the school year officially begins. WATE 6 News spoke with one of KOC’s sports medicine surgeons, Dr. Kyle Boden, to learn what’s being done to keep student-athletes safe in the heat.
Dr. Boden said paying attention to young athletes and how they respond throughout practices or games can make all the difference.
“We have athletic trainers that are in the schools and so that’s the start point,” Boden explained. “They are tracking the humidity outside and the temperature for the heat index to be able to make a determination on the safety. And from there we’re then able to decide, say football for example, can they go out in full pads when it’s that time of year where they’re clear to do so or do we need to scale back and maybe they’re just out in shorts and a helmet.”
Boden shared that heat-related illnesses are a real concern and not something to take lightly. He said it is best to take preventative measures ahead of practice and games to avoid heat-related injuries.