2. What is sickle cell? Sickle cell trait is not adisease.
Sickle cell trait is theinheritance of one gene forsickle
hemoglobin and onefor normal hemoglobin. Sicklecell trait will not
turn into thedisease. Sickle cell trait is alife-long condition
that will notchange over time. 3. Continued The Facts: Knowledge of
sickle cell trait status can be a gateway to education and
simpleprecautions that may prevent collapse among athletes with
sickle cell trait,allowing them to thrive in sport. Heat,
dehydration, altitude and asthma can increase the risk for and
worsencomplications associated with sickle cell trait, even when
exercise is not intense. During intense exercise, red blood cells
containing sickle hemoglobin can changeshape from round to
quarter-moon, or sickle. Sickle red cells may accumulate in the
bloodstream during intense exercise,blocking normal blood flow to
the tissues and muscles. During intense exercise, athletes with
sickle cell trait have experienced significantphysical distress,
collapsed and even died. 4. Who is mainly affected?People at high
riskfor having sickle cell traitare those whose ancestorscome from
Africa, South orCentral America, India, SaudiArabia and Caribbean
andMediterranean countries. Sickle cell trait occurs in about 8
percent of the U.S.African-American population, and between one
in2,000 toone in 10,000 in the Caucasian population. Most U.S.
states test at birth, but most athletes with sicklecell trait dont
know they have it. 5. Risks Most people with sickle cell trait have
no symptoms and willnot have any health complications.Risks
associated with exercise with sickle cell trait Occasionally blood
in urine Under extreme conditions red blood cells may becomesickled
causing complications that include: Muscle breakdown
(rhabdomyolysis) Reduced blood supply to spleen (ishemia) Increased
pressure in eye (glaucoma) A rare kidney cancer (renal medullary
carcinoma) Rare cases can cause death 6. AthletePrecautions &
Management Know your sickle cell trait status. Engage in a slow and
gradual preseasonconditioning regimen. Build up your intensity
slowly while training. Set your own pace. Use adequate rest and
recoverybetween repetitions, especially during gassers andintense
station or mat drills. Avoid pushing with all-out exertion longer
than two tothree minutes without a rest interval or a breather. If
you experience symptoms such as muscle pain,abnormal weakness,
undue fatigue or breathlessness,stop the activity immediately and
notify your athletictrainer and/or coach. Stay well hydrated at all
times, especially in hot andhumid conditions. Avoid using
high-caffeine energy drinks or supplements,or other stimulants, as
they may contribute to dehydration. Maintain proper asthma
management. Refrain from extreme exercise during acute illness,if
feeling ill, or while experiencing a fever. Beware when adjusting
to a change in altitude, e.g., arise in altitude of as little as
2,000 feet. Modify yourtraining and request that supplemental
oxygen beavailable to you. Seek prompt medical care when
experiencingunusual physical distress. 7. CoachPrecautions &
management An important note is that the incidents of sudden death
inathletes with sickle cell trait have been exclusive
toconditioning sessions rather than game or skill
practicesituations. Coaches should conduct appropriate
sport-specificconditioning based on sound scientific principles and
be readyto intervene when student-athletes show signs of distress.
Planned emergency (that is practiced and reviewed) All coaches and
thestrength and conditioningstaff should be certified infirst aid
and CPR. 8.
http://s3.amazonaws.com/ncaa/web_video/health_and_safety/sickle_cell/sickleCell.html
For further information watch the NCAA educational videoon Sickle
Trait, or proceed to the next slide. 9. You have completed the
education presentation for Sickle CellTrait. Please complete the
Sickle Cell Trait verification form byclicking the link
below.Sickle Cell Trait verification form
