Strathfield Croquet Club Inc.

Croquet players and officials can spend long periods standing or sitting in the sun. The environmental exposure can be quite different, even at the same venue, depending on whether a player or official is sitting or playing in the sun or shade.

Prolonged exposure in the sun, at club level, but particularly at state or national level, predisposes players to heat stress. Some individuals are more at risk than others. The older population and young children (especially pre-pubertal) are at most risk. There is also individual variability.
Overweight people are at more risk, as are individuals with medical problems (asthma, diabetes, heart conditions or epilepsy etc), people taking some medications and individuals who have recently been unwell (following a flu, a viral infection or gastroenteritis). Unacclimated individuals are also at risk. For example, those who have come from cooler conditions.

Environmental factors depend on ambient temperature, radiant heat, wind, humidity and time exposed to the environment.

Ideally, when there is a risk of high temperatures, events should be scheduled for the cooler part of the day. The hottest part of the day usually being between 11 am – 3 pm. The higher the humidity the more stressful the hot environment is. Temperatures can be measured using ambient temperature. However, the temperature on hot humid days can be measured by a Wet-bulb glass thermometer or more ideally measuring the heat index, such as with the Belding Hatch Heat Stress Index (BHSI) using a Whirling Hygrometer.

The risk of heat illness is increased in hot and humid conditions because: People may not be able to produce enough sweat for adequate cooling. High humidity may prevent adequate evaporation of sweat.

What is heat illness?
Heat illness is a spectrum of heat related disorders. Symptoms include
-    Headache
-    Nausea/ Vomiting
-    Dizziness/ Light-headedness -    Cramps
-    Fatigue
-    Poor concentration
-    Poor performance/ Loss of skill and coordination -    Abnormal behaviour
-    Confusion
-    Aggression or irrational behaviour -    Cessation of sweating

Dehydrationis caused by loss of body fluid, mostly via sweating and breathing. It predisposes the athlete to muscle cramps and fatigue impaired performance. It also predisposes the player to heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

Steps to minimise heat illness - Prevention is a key.
1. Acclimatise to the heat.

In summer acclimatisation naturally occurs as the weather becomes warmer and more humid. If you are from a cooler climate, arrive early and train in the heat prior to competition.

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2. Hydration

Hydration is important, as dehydration can decrease performance.

Hydrate Pre- Event: Drink approximately 500ml in the 2 hours prior to competition of fluid.

Hydrate through the competition: Drink regularly. Have a drink bottle on the side of the lawn.

Water is acceptable for events 1-2 hours. For longer events consider sports drinks.

Beware very hot drinks during breaks, on a hot day. They may increase your body temperature.

Ice blocks between matches can be considered.

Post Event. It can take 24 hours to rehydrate. Ensure you drink to hydrate, to ensure you don’t start the next day of competition dehydrated.

Note Alcohol post event can cause further dehydration. This is important to remember if you have further days of competition.

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Special considerations

An alternative drink to water should be available for children who are hesitant to drink water.

Note: Drink to your thirst. It is also important not to over-hydrate in events lasting many hours.

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3. Fitness. A fitter individual will generally tolerate the heat better than an unfit individual.

 

4. Clothing.

Appropriate clothing is recommended for players and officials: Light coloured, light weight, loose fitting to provide adequate ventilation and protection against the sun. Shirts with long sleeves and a collar are recommended.

Broad brim well-vented hats are recommended or a Legionnaires hat. Caps and visors don’t provide adequate sun protection.

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5. Sunscreen

should be a minimum SPF (Sun protection factor) rating of > 30. Sunscreen should be reapplied regularly. For example, between matches or every 2 hours.

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6. Sunglasses

with adequate UV protection are recommended., particularly when playing outside for prolonged periods in the sun.

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7. Shade.

Organisers can help by providing extra shade areas for players and officials. Players and officials should stand/ sit in the shade when appropriate.

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8. Water for cooling.

Spray bottles, water to dampen clothes, wet towels, cooling ties etc

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9. Fans to encourage air movement off the lawn.

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Each state currently has its own heat policy. In making decisions: ambient temperature, radiant heat, wind, humidity and duration of the event need to be considered. A standard policy may not fit for all lawns at a given location. A lawn that is shaded will not have the same heat stress associated with it as a lawn in the sun.

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Cool drinks and shade should be readily available. In extreme heat, the event may need to be moved to the cooler part of the day. Lawns in the shade may favour those in the direct sun. Limiting the duration of matches or having breaks for water through games may need to be considered. In extreme heat, breaks of 2-5 minutes in game play may need to be considered to allow players to have fluids and shelter.

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Heat Illness ranges from heat exhaustion to heat stroke.

Heat illness occurs when an individual has a core temperature > 38°C. It is characterised by a high heart rate, dizziness, headache, loss of endurance, loss of skill, confusion, nausea.

•    The player may still feel cool and be sweating. However, they may be pale and have stopped sweating.

•    The player may collapse.

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Treatment of Heat Exhaustion.

•    Remove from the heat.
•    Rest in a shaded area ideally with a breeze or fan or move to air conditioning.

•    Drink cool fluids – water or sports drinks.
•    Misting and spraying with water.

•    Fan

Heat Strokeoccurs when the rate of heat production is greater than the rate of heat loss. The individuals core temperature is > 41° C that can cause damage to the internal organs and collapse. The individual has dry skin, is confused and collapses. Heat stroke is a medical emergency and requires urgent medical treatment.

Treatment of Heat stroke:

•    Remove player out of the sun, place in shade •    Remove excess clothing
•    Soak with water
•    Place in front of a fan
•    Place ice in their groins and arm pits.

References

Beat the heat. Playing and exercising safely in hot weather. Fact sheet. http://sma.org.au/sma-site-content/uploads/2017/08/beat-the-heat-2011.pdf

Heat stress and strain in exercise and sport Brotherhood, John R. JSAMS Jan 2008 Vol 11. Issue 1. https://www.jsams.org/article/S1440-2440(07)00209-5/fulltext?mobileUi=0

SMA Hot Weather Guidelines. http://sma.org.au/sma-site-content/uploads/2017/08/UV-Exposure-and-Heat-Illness-Guide.pdf

Thermal comfort observations. Australian government. Bureau of Meteorology http://www.bom.gov.au/info/thermal_stress/

World rugby, Heat Guideline. http://playerwelfare.worldrugby.org/?subsection=6

Note

A Whirling hygrometer can be obtained at http://www.arthurbailey.com.au/ ( approx. $175)

Wet bulb temperature readings for your location can be found at a number of websites and apps, including Weather FX app.

 

Croquet NSW Policy

Croquet NSW Tournament Regulations allows for some relief in hot conditions.
1.1.5 (j) If the temperature reaches 30 degrees and a player is affected to such a degree that they are unable to continue playing the Tournament Manager is required to peg the game down and re-schedule or cancel the game altogether (see also the CNSW Policy on Sun Protection).