During the length of their athletic training, students are bound to learn about heat related injuries. Especially in an era of expanding global warming, however, awareness of the dangers the winter months uncover for athletes is often left behind.

While summer sports can cause injuries such as heat exhaustion and dehydration, the winter season ushers in an equal, if not greater, opportunity for sprains, strains, and blisters.

“In the winter months, we see a large variety of injuries. In addition to consistent collisions and accidents that play a role in any sport, in winter we also see athletes coming in with things such as chilblains, a condition similar to frostbite or trench foot,” said Mr. Perry Denehy, athletic trainer.

Denehy mentioned that these injuries are prominent in most outdoor activities, including the sports lacrosse and track.

“If I feel like the day is too cold to exercise outside, I go ahead and let coaches know,” said Denehy.

In this way, potential injuries are avoided. Because of the cooler temperatures, muscles and connective tissues have a decreased elasticity. When athletes fall in these sorts of conditions, they are more prone to sprains and strains.

Thankfully, few winter sports take place outside for the SHS season. Of those that do, precautionary measures are always taken.

“For winter track especially, it is vital for students to be self-conscious of their current state. Many of the athletes use track to get in shape for the upcoming spring track season, and an injury during that time is certainly unappreciated,” said Denehy.

At the end of the day, winter athletics are about awareness. Awareness of its equal importance to warmer athletics, and awareness about the hidden dangers of the cold.