The incidence of heat related illness at a wrestling camp in Minnesota, summer 2006

Heat illness is one of many conditions that can occur to training program participants particularly during the summer months. This was a non-statistical observational study using data collected previously by staff at a summer wrestling camp. Data included weight tracking charts (to determine dehydration), participation records, practice schedule, humidity and temperature information, and specific demographic information on each participant (age, starting weight, and hometown region). It appeared that the most influential factor to determining risk of heat illness was based on environmental factors to include the practice schedule and changes in the weather. Monitoring changes in temperature, humidity, and activity in order to modify training accordingly should have a positive effect on the incidence of heat related illness.