Preventing football deaths

[BAMAPHIN 22]

Icing heatstroke victims and screening for sickle cell trait can prevent deaths on the field, a doctor told a conference on football injuries Thursday.

Teams became more sensitive to the risk of heatstroke after it led to the deaths of three players in a one-week span in 2001, including Minnesota Vikings tackle Korey Stringer, said Dr. E. Randy Eichner, team internist for the Oklahoma Sooners.

But more awareness is needed, he said.
"Some of the same mistakes are still made -- a 31/2-hour practice on the first day when the heat index is 105, and ending that practice with 16 sprints," Eichner said. "So we still need to spread the word about how to prevent heatstroke."

Eichner also recommended that teams screen both black and white players for sickling disorders, saying the condition is "grossly undiagnosed." At least 12 deaths in college football since 1974 were likely due to sickling, he said.
The conference also heard a report that college injury rates are three times higher during spring practice than in games, and a doctor for the Cleveland Browns said the relationship between joint injuries and later arthritis needs to be further explored.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/200....ap/index.html

[dominizzo]

Great REad