For many high school student athletes, fall sports such as football and volleyball are already underway. But the wilting temperatures and extreme heat indexes of the past few weeks have presented extra challenges for players and coaches alike.

       Thanks to a special agreement with several school districts, the Sports Medicine and Performance Center at The University of Kansas Health System is providing a full-time, board certified, Kansas licensed athletic trainer at each of those high schools. Having the same trainer on-site day in and day out, rather than just game day, is a huge advantage because the trainers get to know the players and can see when something isn’t quite right. The trainers also get to know each player’s hydration needs, which is extremely important during the sweltering heat of summer football practice, or inside the hot and stuffy gym during volleyball practice.

            In the video, John Derrington, the athletic trainer who works with Blue Valley North High School, explains why it’s important for high school athletes to begin hydrating days and weeks in advance. But he says a one size fits all approach for the players is definitely wrong. He reveals the best way for an athlete to know if they’re dehydrated, and talks about the most common problems young athletes have in the first few days of practice.

         Also, Andy Sims, head football coach at Blue Valley North, explains why the team approach to handling student athletes is so important. It involves the administration, athletic trainers and the coaching staff. He also explains how the trainers help many students who are transitioning from one season’s sport to the next.