TRAINING and EDUCATION
Patient Education
What steps can you take to prevent
exercise-related illness?
Athletes with SCT should take the same precautions
that can prevent exercise-related illness as athletes
who do not have SCT. To prevent exercise-related
illness, you should
• Obtain a physical examination before
beginning an exercise program;
• Make a plan with a coach/fitness trainer before
beginning an exercise program;
• Begin conditioning exercise gradually;
• Set your own pace;
• Stay
hydrated
by drinking
plenty of
water;
• Refrain
from
consuming
high
caffeine
energy
drinks
and other
stimulants;
• Seek
care or
assistance
immediately if showing signs/symptoms of
exercise-related illness;
• Be aware of and adjust gradually to a change
in altitude as this may increase the risk of
dehydration; and
• Limit exercise when sick.
• Muscle cramps;
• Rapid breathing
without wheezing;
• Feeling
overheated;
• Inability to cool,
reduced sweating
at rest; and
• Prolonged
exhaustion or
fatigue.
What should you do if you experience
any of these signs or symptoms while
exercising?
If you display any of the signs or symptoms of
distress above, you should
• Immediately stop exercising;
• Report the symptoms immediately to the
coach, athletic trainer, or person overseeing
your training;
• Rest and re-hydrate;
• Move out of the heat, cool down with wet
towels or ice; and
•
Seek prompt medical care if symptoms worsen
or do not improve with rest.
For more information, visit:
www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/sicklecell/traits.html
http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/sicklecell/traits.html
www.hematology.org/Patients/Anemia/
http://www.hematology.org/Patients/Anemia/
Sickle-Cell-Trait.aspx
Sickle-Cell-Trait.aspx
www.sicklecelldisease.org/index.
cfm?page=
http://www.sicklecelldisease.org/index.
about-scd
cfm?page=about-scd
Some signs of exercise-related illness include www.sicklecelldisease.org/index.
cfm?page=
http://www.sicklecelldisease.org/index.
sickle-cell-trait-athletics
cfm?page=sickle-cell-trait-athletics
• Muscle burning or tenderness;
What are the signs or symptoms of
exercise-related illness or complications?
• Muscle weakness or pain;
CS258998A
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ASH Clinical News
September 2017