Hedstrom consulted with Christopher Mazoué, MD, USC Sports Medicine, for input in this matter. Hedstrom and Mazoué turned to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) for advice. They found that in April of 2003, the NCAA adopted bylaws 17.11.2-3 and 17.11.2-4 directly addressing heat and acclimatization issues for pre-season football practice applicable to programs in Division’s I, II, and III. Since these bylaws have taken effect, Dr. Mazoué has treated far fewer cases of dehydration requiring IV fluids and hospitalization during pre-season football at University of South Carolina and South Carolina State.
Below are the changes to the fall football practice schedule approved by the SCISA Athletic Committee:
1. During the 1st week of practice there will be a 5-day acclimatization period
2. The 1st two days of practice will have helmets only
3. The 3rd & 4th day of practice there will be helmets & shoulder pads only
4. The 5th day will have full pads & full contact
5. Teams must conduct 3 days of practice in full gear before they may scrimmage another team
6. A school may not conduct multiple on-field practice sessions (2 practices -a-day or 3 practices a-day) on consecutive days
7. Student-athletes cannot practice more than 3 hours on those days when one practice is permitted
8. Student-athletes cannot practice more than 5 hours total on those days when two practices are permitted
9. During the school year, practice will be limited to 3 hours which will include film sessions, weight training, and on-field practice time
Hedstrom has been a Certified Athletic Trainer in South Carolina for 5 years. This past football season, Cardinal Newman High School had one case of heat related illness that required transportation of the athlete to the emergency room. This case made local news headlines on WIS-TV Columbia. Hedstrom had been concerned about heat related illness for many years, but this particular incident has finally made him try to make a difference.
USC Sports Medicine would like to thank Robbe Hedstrom and Dr. Mazoué for making a difference in the Sports Medicine Community in the State of South Carolina. Their hope is that other high school leagues will follow the lead of SCISA.
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