Central Illinois coaches, trainers find ways to relieve young athletes from extreme heat – WEEK | 25 News Now

BLOOMINGTON (25News Now) – Athletes train year-round, including during heat waves.

Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington is taking its own precautions to ensure that athletes are safe while playing sports at the Titans’ basketball camp for kids.

One method used this week included a mix of time between indoor and outdoor activities.

IWU men’s head basketball coach Ron Rose said he rotates summer campers from being outside in the heat and being inside with air conditioning, adding it helps them to cool down.

Coach Rose also said that groups are small at camp, intentionally, so coaches can keep an eye on campers if they do notice heat related illnesses or signs of dehydration. The weather does not interrupt camp, said Rose, because there are plenty of precautions in place.

“The camper can at any point, get a drink if they need to. At any point, [they can] get into the air conditioning if they need to,” said Rose,

“But we’re also trying to manage it where our schedule sometimes it’s half court, sometimes it’s full court play, sometimes we have a lecture where they can get off their feet and get into the air conditioning.”

Wesleyan Assistant Athletic Trainer Rachel Dawson is also keeping an eye on the campers.

“What I’m looking for is if they’re sweating profusely, or they’re not sweating at all, or they can’t catch their breath, just to make sure that if they’re just a little tired- or if it’s actually from heat- and they’re going into heat exhaustion, to kind of prevent any heat-related illnesses,” said Dawson.

She added that depending on how hot or humid the weather is outside, some players may layer down during practices. For example, she said football players may only wear their helmets instead of full gear. Wesleyan is also equipped with ice tubs that can be used to cool down athletes if they do encounter themselves getting sick from the heat.

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