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National Athletic Trainers' Association position statement: environmental cold injuries
Thomas A Cappaert1, Jennifer A Stone, John W Castellani
1Central Michigan University, Mt Pleasant, Michigan, USA.
This guide offers recommendations for preventing, recognizing, and treating environmental cold injuries. It equips athletic trainers and healthcare providers with essential skills for managing cold-related risks in athletes and workers.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Medicine
- Sports Medicine
- Occupational Health
Background:
- Individuals participating in sports or work in cold environments face risks of cold injuries.
- Understanding cold injury physiology, risk management, and immediate care is crucial for healthcare providers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide evidence-based recommendations for the prevention, recognition, and treatment of environmental cold injuries.
- To enhance the knowledge and problem-solving skills of certified athletic trainers and other healthcare professionals.
Main Methods:
- Development of graded recommendations based on the Strength of Recommendation Taxonomy (SORT) criteria.
- Synthesis of current knowledge on environmental cold injuries.
Main Results:
- Recommendations cover prevention strategies for cold-exposed individuals.
- Guidelines are provided for the accurate recognition of various cold injuries.
- Treatment protocols for immediate and ongoing care are outlined.
Conclusions:
- The recommendations aim to improve the management of environmental cold injuries in athletic and occupational settings.
- Graded recommendations (A, B, C) offer a framework for clinical decision-making.
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