The old idea that water should be withheld from athletes during workouts has no scientific foundation.  The most important safeguard to the health of the athlete is the replacement of water.  Water should be on the field and readily available to the athlete at all times.  It is recommended that a minimum 10-minute water break be scheduled for every half- hour of heavy exercise in the heat.

Heat Cramps

Painful cramps involving abdominal muscles and extremities caused by intense prolonged exercise in the heat and depletion of salt and water due to profuse sweating.

Heat Syncope

Weakness, fatigue, and fainting due to loss of salt and water in sweat and exercise in the heat.  Predisposes to heat stroke.

Heat Exhaustion

Excessive weight loss, reduced sweating, elevated skin and core body temperature, excessive thirst, weakness, headache, and sometimes unconsciousness.

OBTAIN MEDICAL CARE AT ONCE
Cool body as you would for heat stroke while waiting for transfer to a hospital.  Give fluids if athlete is able to swallow and is conscious.

Heat Stroke

An acute medical emergency related to thermoregulatory failure.  Associated with nausea, seizures, disorientation, and possible unconsciousness or coma.  It may occur suddenly without being preceded by any other clinical signs.  The individual is usually unconscious with a high body temperature and hot dry skin.

THIS IS A MEDICAL EMERGENCY-DELY COULD BE FATAL
Immediately cool body while waiting for transfer to a hospital.  Remove clothing and place ice bags on the neck, in the axilla (armpit), and on the groin areas.  Fan athlete and spray with cool water to enhance evaporation.

The main concern associated with exercising in the hot weather is water loss through sweating.  Water loss is best replaced by allowing the athlete unrestricted access to water.  Water breaks two or three times every hour is better than one break every hour.  Probably the best method is to have water available at all times and allow the athlete to drink water whenever he/she needs it.  Never restrict the amount of water an athlete drinks, and be sure the athletes are drinking water.