National Athletic Trainers' Association position statement: environmental cold injuries
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 27, 2026

Field-Based Thermal Physiology Assay: Cold Shock Recovery under Ambient Conditions
Published on: March 9, 2021
Thomas A Cappaert1, Jennifer A Stone, John W Castellani
1Central Michigan University, Mt Pleasant, Michigan, USA.
Objective:
To present recommendations for the prevention, recognition, and treatment of environmental cold injuries.
Background:
Individuals engaged in sport-related or work-related physical activity in cold, wet, or windy conditions are at risk for environmental cold injuries. An understanding of the physiology and pathophysiology, risk management, recognition, and immediate care of environmental cold injuries is an essential skill for certified athletic trainers and other health care providers working with individuals at risk.
Recommendations:
These recommendations are intended to provide certified athletic trainers and others participating in athletic health care with the specific knowledge and problem-solving skills needed to address environmental cold injuries. Each recommendation has been graded (A, B, or C) according to the Strength of Recommendation Taxonomy criterion scale.
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