Cold Stress Policy
Hypothermia is life-threatening conditioning created by cold exposure and is indicated by
significant drop in body temperature. When rapid cooling, exhaustion and energy
depletion occur and the temperature-regulating mechanisms fail, a medical emergency
ensues. Frostbite is the freezing of superficial tissues (usually fingers, ears, toes and face)
due to exposure to cold and wind chill. This policy is a synopsis of the NCAA Sports
Medicine Handbook Guideline 2b as well as the NATA’s position statement on
Environmental Cold Injuries.
Temperature, humidity, presence of precipitation and wind chill indicate risk of cold
stress. The Sacred Heart University Athletic Training Department will track temperature
and wind chill by means of Intellicast app/website and/or the Kestrel meter 4400. The
athletic training staff will communicate with coaches, administration and/or officials to
determine what, if any, modifications will be applied to practice or competition to ensure
the safety of the student-athletes. The guidelines below were developed to determine
practice time modifications in relation to information obtained. All modifications will be
based on the change in weather conditions and also at the discretion of the supervising
certified athletic trainer. Please refer to the athletic training department with any
questions regarding practice times. The SHU AT Dept will also refer to the NWS wind
chill chart for time limits designated by temperature and wind chill.
http://www.nws.noaa.gov/os/windchill/index.shtml
Shivering is the body’s mean of heat generation and is an early warning sign of cold
stress. Numbness and pain in fingers and toes or burning sensations of any exposed skin
are also warning signs. The victim should be warmed and dried immediately and given a
warm beverage if conscious and lucid.
As core body temperature drops, a person may exhibit poor judgment, sluggishness, and
may appear disoriented. Speech may become slow and slurred and movements clumsy.
If this occurs, the victim should be treated as a medical emergency and should be
transported to the hospital immediately.
The following guidelines, as outlined in the NATA position statement, can used in
planning activity depending on the wind-chill temperature. Conditions should be
constantly re-evaluated for change of risk and will be by our athletic training staff,
including the presence of precipitation:
-
30 degrees Fahrenheit and below: be aware of the potential for cold injury and
notify appropriate personnel of the potential.
-
-
25 degrees Fahrenheit and below: provide additional protective clothing; cover as
much exposed skin as practical; provide opportunities and facilities for rewarming.
15 degrees Fahrenheit and below: Consider modifying activity to limit exposer or
to allow more frequent chances to re-warm.
0 degrees Fahrenheit and below: Terminating practice or activity should be
strongly considered.
Prevention:
1. Clothing should be in layers and should stay dry. The head and neck should be
covered as well as the hands (mittens provide more warmth than gloves.) Wicking
fabric should be used as the first layer to wick moisture away from the body. Add
pile (fleece) and wool as outer layers. Cotton is a poor choice as it holds moisture.
2. Stay hydrated!! Since dehydration affects the body’s ability to regulate
temperature and increase the risk of frostbite. Fluids are as important in cold as in
heat. Avoid caffeine, nicotine, alcohol and other drugs that cause water loss,
vasodilation or vasoconstriction of blood vessels.
3. Energy levels should be maintained through high energy meals, snacks and
beverages.
4. Adequate is important in prevention of hypothermia and other cold stress. Fatigue
and sleep loss should be avoided when training in cold weather.
5. Warm up thoroughly and keep warm throughout the event. Add clothing after an
event to prevent rapid cooling. Warm cold air with a mask or scarf to prevent
bronchospasm.
6. Never train alone.
***In situation when modifications have been made and suggested to ensure the safety of
our student-athletes, ATC’s reserve the right to not allow student-athletes to participate if
modifications are not made (i.e….proper clothing is not worn/proper rewarming has not
occurred).
COLD WEATHER PRACTICE TIME GUIDELINES
*All temperatures are based off of the Intellicast website/app
DRY TIMES
Air Temperature (oF)
Wind Speed
(mph)
>20
>15
5
2hr
1.5hr
10
1.5hr
1hr
15
1hr
X
20
X
X
25
X
X
30
x
X
Total time outside beginning with DRY skin
>10
1hr
X
X
X
X
X
5
0
-5
Don’t Even Think About It!!!!!
WET TIMES
Air Temperature (oF)
Wind Speed
(mph)
>20
>15
>10
5
0
-5
5
1.5hr
1hr
30m
10
1hr
30m
X
15
30m
x
X
Don’t Even Think About It!!!!!
20
X
X
X
25
X
X
X
30
x
X
X
Total time outside for: wet skin, rain, snow, sleet
 2nd trip out requires a 30 minute rewarming period inside between trips
**All practice times are subject to modifications based on the
change in weather conditions and the discretion of the
supervising certified athletic trainer. Please refer to the athletic
training department with any questions regarding practice
times.