By Donald Heath
Special for the Effingham Herald
SPRINGFIELD – Discussing heat acclimation almost seems like an afterthought for the high school football teams at Effingham County and South Effingham.
Throughout the summer, both squads have been practicing three or four times a week (except the dead weeks of Memorial Day and the Fourth of July).
And it's been a hot summer, particularly during the last month. If anything, the Rebels and Mustangs have gotten accustomed to the heat.
But in accordance with the Georgia High School Association, each football player in the state must go through a heat acclimation period of five consecutive days before putting on equipment – helmets, shoulder pads and padded pants – on July 31.
Softball, volleyball and cross country also begin their first practices on July 31, but aren't scrutinized for heat acclimation.
"I know people who aren't out in the heat all the time say, ‘I don't know how they do it’,” SEHS coach Loren Purvis said. "When you're (practicing) every day, dealing with the heat becomes easier. Every good program in the state has been working out in the summer, but you still don't take the heat for granted. This is Georgia. It's hot and it's dangerous."
Purvis says he's in agreement with the GHSA's safety-first protocol.
According to a study conducted by Texas A&M, at least 50 high school players have died from heat stroke in the past 25 years. The same article pointed out that nine of the 10 hottest years ever recorded have occurred since 2012.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported the US overall has averaged more than 700 heat-related deaths every year from 2004-2018.
In 2001, Minnesota Viking offensive lineman Korey Stringer died from exertional heat stroke.
Heat can't be taken lightly.
ECHS' linemen recently participated in a padded camp at The Citadel in Charleston, South Carolina. SEHS attended a padded camp at Camden County.
But except for the rare padded camps (schools are allowed two camps in the summer), local players have been working out in just shorts. They've also been working out in the morning when temperature and humidity are lower.
It's the first step to becoming acclimated to the heat.
"We appreciate the GHSA allowing us to do the things we do to get ready for the season," ECHS coach John Ford said.
As part of the GHSA's safety precautions, schools are required to monitor the weather through wet bulb globe temperature, a device which provides a reading that factors in temperature, humidity, wind speed, and direct sun.
An adverse reading could limit the equipment a player can use during that period or, worst case scenario for coaches, could halt practice altogether.
But expect the heat and the intensity to ratchet up when pads come on, Purvis said.
Players get stronger from lifting weights all summer. Stronger players are more confident. More confident players are less likely to shy away from physical play.
"I love the summer and its relaxed pace but there's a certain level of intensity that goes with putting on pads that can't be matched in shorts, and I'm looking forward to seeing that," Purvis said.
