Disorders Associated with Heat Exposure

ERA Recertification Online Immersive Course

Exertional heat illness spans the spectrum of muscle cramps to life threatening heat stroke. Symptoms can be made worse when athletes have an underlying condition of sickle cell trait or develop rhabdomyolysis. Inexperienced athletes will often over-hydrate as a precaution for dehydration but then end up with exercise associated hyponatremia. All these conditions have serious risks associated. This module will review epidemiology, physiology, signs and symptoms, and key factors sports providers should be aware of to effectively respond to an athlete experiencing heat-related illness. Topics covered are exertional heat stroke, rhabdomyolysis, sick cell trait, and exercise associated hyponatremia.

[Disorders Associated with Heat Exposure is one of the courses available for your ERA Recertification. Please make sure you have registered for the ERA Recertification course before initiating learning with this module.]

This training includes:

  • Didactic Chapter
  • Video Lecture
  • Final Quiz
  • 2.75 Category A BOC credit
  • Certificate of Completion

Learning Objectives

Following completion of this immersive course, the learner should be able to:

  • Discuss the risk factors for the development of a heat illness
  • Explain the seriousness of exertional heat illness (EHI) by reviewing its epidemiology
  • Describe the thermoregulation process in humans
  • Identify the differences in clinical features between exercise associated muscle cramps, heat syncope, heat exhaustion, and exertional heat stroke
  • Describe the treatment methods for exercise associated muscle cramps, heat syncope, heat exhaustion, and exertional heat stroke
  • Identify the risk factors associated with EHI
  • Describe the pathophysiology of exertional rhabdomyolysis and how it relates to the clinical signs and symptoms
  • Discuss the risk stratification utilized with exertional rhabdomyolysis and how it relates to return to physical activity
  • Explain the differences between exertional heat stroke (EHS) and exertional collapse associated with Sickle Cell Trait (ECAST)
  • Discuss current return to play guidelines for post-exertional heat stroke including risk factors for these athletes
  • Outline the NATA recommendations for prevention of EHI
  • Discuss the risk factors for the development of a heat illness
  • Describe the pathogenesis of exercise associated hyponatremia
  • List the risk factors for development of exercise associated hyponatremia (EAH)
  • Compare the symptoms of EAH and EHI
  • Discuss prevention strategies for EAH

LEARN MORE ABOUT IN-PERSON AND VIRTUAL RECERTIFICATION OPTIONS

In-Person ERA Recertification
Virtual ERA Recertification