GSU goes high-tech to protect players
Doug Roberson, Chip Towers; Staff
In a precautionary measure, Georgia State last year began using a new technology aimed at preventing players from suffering heat exhaustion, dehydration and other conditions that can occur when football coincides with hot temperatures.Players wear tiny sensors in their helmets that transmit their temperatures to a handheld device carried by one of Georgia State's athletic trainers. When a player's temperature reaches 102.5 degrees, a signal goes off on the device.The body's normal temperature is 98.6 degrees and between 99-100 when wearing a helmet. A person can suffer a heat stroke at 104 degrees. Two high school players in the state died recently after collapsing during football workouts. The cause of their deaths hasn't been determined. Bob Murphy, Georgia State's associate athletic director for medicine and nutrition, carried one of the devices, made by Hothead Technologies, during Thursday's first practice in unseasonably cool weather. During a practice or game, each player's temperature is checked and transmitted to the handheld device every 30 seconds.However, Murphy doesn't have to wait for their temperature to hit 102.5. When he notices a player's temperature spiking, he will pull them out of practice. The player has to take off his helmet, sit in the shade and drink plenty of fluids until his temperature reaches a safe level. He estimated that he pulled two players out of practice each week last season."It makes me feel comfortable that our young men are safe," athletic director Cheryl Levick said. August 5, 2011
Doug Roberson, Chip Towers; Staff
In a precautionary measure, Georgia State last year began using a new technology aimed at preventing players from suffering heat exhaustion, dehydration and other conditions that can occur when football coincides with hot temperatures.Players wear tiny sensors in their helmets that transmit their temperatures to a handheld device carried by one of Georgia State's athletic trainers. When a player's temperature reaches 102.5 degrees, a signal goes off on the device.The body's normal temperature is 98.6 degrees and between 99-100 when wearing a helmet. A person can suffer a heat stroke at 104 degrees. Two high school players in the state died recently after collapsing during football workouts. The cause of their deaths hasn't been determined. Bob Murphy, Georgia State's associate athletic director for medicine and nutrition, carried one of the devices, made by Hothead Technologies, during Thursday's first practice in unseasonably cool weather. During a practice or game, each player's temperature is checked and transmitted to the handheld device every 30 seconds.However, Murphy doesn't have to wait for their temperature to hit 102.5. When he notices a player's temperature spiking, he will pull them out of practice. The player has to take off his helmet, sit in the shade and drink plenty of fluids until his temperature reaches a safe level. He estimated that he pulled two players out of practice each week last season."It makes me feel comfortable that our young men are safe," athletic director Cheryl Levick said. August 5, 2011
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