ABSTRACT
While much attention is paid to the identification and cultivation of athletic talent in children and adolescents, it is essential to remember that the benefits of youth talent development are only realized if young athletes are able to stay healthy and injury-free as they mature and develop. The primary goal of health care providers who interact with young athletes is therefore to protect talent by identifying those young athletes at risk for sports-related injuries—both acute and chronic—and taking steps to mitigate or avoid entirely the impact that such injuries may ultimately have on present and future athletic performance. It is generally accepted that young athletes have a greater risk of suffering from heat-related illness than adults. It is therefore essential that coaches, trainers, and other persons who work with young competitors be well informed about the possible medical hazards of sport participation, so that at-risk athletes may be identified early and appropriate measures may be taken to prevent catastrophic harm.
