When athletes try to go back to the field of play too soon they may put their health at risk, or risk the integrity of their sport if they do so by doping or taking illicit substances. For injury prevention resources:
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Concussion in sport
Sport-related concussion can have potential serious health ramifications for athletes.
It is important that sports, coaches, players and parents support an environment where people feel comfortable reporting their symptoms and sit out of play if they have a concussion or even a suspected concussion.
For more information:
The Victorian Government has also supported important research into concussion management in community sport. Some of the research papers are available online:
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Heat Guidelines for Sport
Exposure to extreme heat and heatwave may result in heat-related illness, including heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
Sports participants should be aware of the risks associated with heat illness, how to prevent it, how to recognise it, and how best to respond to a life threating heat stroke incident.
Physical activity may lead to a much faster onset of symptoms of heat-related illness. Individuals can suffer what is often referred to as ‘exertional’ heat illness when engaging in physical activity for prolonged periods in both temperate and hot conditions.
The risk is greatly increased if humidity is high, thereby reducing the cooling effect provided by sweat evaporation, or if protective sports clothing and equipment hinders sweat evaporation.
The Victorian Government has supported an extensive review of the heat guidelines for sport. A part of this review process, Vicsport has prepared a range of new fact sheets and heat policy templates for sport.
For more information and advice on recognising, managing and mitigating heat health risks in sport and recreation visit Vicsport.
Sports Medicine Australia is a leading source of information for injury and illness in sport and physical activity.
Sports Medicine Australia’s hot weather guidelines are frequently referenced by sport organisations. The Beat the Heat publication provides practical information on first aid and treatment of heat illness.
For more information visit Sports Medicine Australia.
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Other resources and advice:
The Department of Health and Human Services provides heat health communications resources and manages the Heat health alert system. Heat health alerts are open to anyone with an email via a subscription service. The alerts provide an early notification of forecast extreme heat and heatwave.
For more information on how to stay health in the heat, visit DHHS.
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Preparing for extreme environmental conditions
In addition to extreme heat, other extreme weather or environmental conditions, such as storms and thunderstorm asthma forecasts, floods and bushfires may present a significant risk to sport and outdoor recreation participants.
Alerts, advice and links to resources on preparing for extreme environmental conditions is available from VicEmergency.
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Weather forecasts and humidity
In addition to weather forecasts the Bureau of Meteorology publishes thermal comfort observations for Victoria.
These observations may be used in conjunction with the Beat the Heat and hot weather guidelines, published by Sports Medicine Australia, to consider possible risks of heat -related illness by reviewing current temperature and humidity indicators.
For information on forecast extreme heat and heatwave, visit the Bureau of Meteorology.