How local athletes are staying safe amid extreme temps

JACKSON, Tenn. — Athletes who compete in outdoor sports have to use extra care to stay cautious of overheating in the summer.

We visited the North Side High School football team who has indoor practices to keep players cool during extreme temps here in the region.

“We have an acclimation period, but it’s been very hot. What we like to try to do is get out early in the morning, that way we can beat the heat as it’s getting hot; around that time we’ll come off the field,” said Head Coach Woodrow Lowe.

Excessive heat waves are back in West Tennessee, just as school heads back into session. So, for many outdoor sports like football, baseball, and even marching band students have to make sure they’re being proactive in making sure their health come first.

“The weather is dangerous right now. The weather is dangerous and you just have to be smart on how you do it. Sometime we might not not be able to condition because it’s so hot or how the kids are looking and everything. I think that our district’s done a god job as far as administering and sending our messages letting us know. They’ve done their part and we’ve done our part to keep the kids safe in this heat,” said Lowe.

“We’re behind our football players and the football team, but when you’re practicing–especially on these hot days–it’s better to practice very early during the day or very late so that we’re not practicing in the intensity,” said Mechelle Taylor Moragne, owner of Taylor Medical Group.

Dr. Moragne tells us what to look out for when the heat gets dangerous.

“You can have symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. So what we want to do is stay hydrated, stay cool, and we have to be our in the sun lets limit our exposure,” said Dr. Moragne.

Dr. Moragne recommends drinking water every 10 to 15 minutes to stay hydrated and to take necessary breaks to limit heat exposure. According to the National Weather Service of Memphis, an extreme heat warning remains in effect until 8 p.m. Wednesday.

Lowe says they’re always focused on the wellbeing of the athletes, urging them to eat breakfast and lunch, in addition to drinking plenty of water to stay hydrated.

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