New Heat Advice for Young Athletes

The American Academy of Pediatrics has revised its guidelines on heat and school athletes.  This, due to  recent reports of serious, even catastrophic heat-related events with school athletes.

The recommendations are published in this week's edition of the journal Pediatrics.

They focus on coaches and parents as well as kids.

Authors of the statement believe heat-related illness can be prevented if school officials and adults are taught the risks of working out in high temperatures.

"Athletic directors, coaches, teachers and other adults who are overseeing children exercising in the heat should make themselves aware of ways to reduce the risk of heat illness, and they should develop an emergency action plan," said Dr. Cynthia Devore, co-author of the statement and chairperson of the AAP Council on School Health. "This is especially important as we head into high school preseason football."