FAYETTEVILLE, Arkansas — When you think of football practices, you might think it happens during the day or in the evening, but after 10 a.m. most football fields are empty.
5NEWS called multiple districts across our area, and they told us they're practicing in the morning, usually from 6 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
"We get them out there about 9:15 or 9:30 and get them used to the heat while it's not too hot. Ultimately, we're going to play and practice in that type of condition. So we need to be as safe as we can every day," said Fayetteville High School Football Coach Casey Dick.
Dick said ever since twice-a-day practices were eliminated, athletes are more hydrated and prepared, "Anything from basic healthcare techniques to proper fundamentals and communication [has improved]."
Brendan McDermott is a professor of exercise science and athletics training at the University of Arkansas, and he agrees that one practice a day along with lifting is more than enough.
"Even from a performance perspective, two practices a day is probably just beating kids down and not allowing adequate recovery between workouts. To boost performance, I think there's a benefit, and from a health and safety aspect, I think there's also a benefit," said McDermott.
McDermott said a few years ago a high school student-athlete died from a heat stroke. Even before that rules from the Arkansas Activities Association were in place.
"It is a mandate through the AAA to have cold tubs and a cooling zone ready for treatment within 20 minutes of a potential collapse. So that's another thing that parents can do— ask the question, 'Who's taking care of my kids, where is the cooling station, and how would we adequately cool somebody if they did collapse because of a heat illness?"
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