Pill study aims to prevent heat illnesses in athletes

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

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The pill has a thermometer in it that reads the temperature of the players' body.

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY (Bay News 9) -- A University of South Florida doctor is researching a pill that aims to prevent heat illnesses in athletes.

The pill has a thermometer in it that reads the temperature of the players' body. When it gets past 103 degrees the players take a time out.

Dr. Eric Coris started the research with the pills three years ago. So far, he's found out that bigger, bulkier players like linebackers are more prone to heat illness and morning practices are more problematic.

"When they do two-a-day practices, typically their core temperature elevates more rapidly in the morning session when they are wearing more gear and going more intensely," Coris said.

Coris says there's also a link between heat illness and whether the player was sick the week before or if the player was taking medicine and he has learned that genetics play a part.

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"Those athletes with higher body mass index with more lean muscle mass will run a higher core temperature," Coris said.

Since that core temperature is continually monitored, fewer players are being carted off the field for heat exhaustion.

"We're pulling them out," he said. "Getting them fluid before they get to that breaking point. Then they can resume practice and not have any trouble."

As the study continues, Coris would like to find a more cost effective way to detect heat illness. So one day anyone, even those on little league teams, could benefit.

"As we fine tune this more, is what we hopefully will end up with, is a very low tech inexpensive way to screen athletes," he said.