MALAWI FLAMES TO ACCLIMATIZE

The Malawi Flames are going to camp in Salima, Malawi in order to acclimatize to Ivory Coast’s hot weather. The Malawi Flames will play against Drogba and the Ivory Coast Elephants on March 29, 2009.

Acclimatization is the process of an organism adjusting to chronic change in its environment, often involving temperature, moisture, food, often relating to seasonal climate changes.

When humans move from a cool or temperate environment to a hot, dry desert environment or vice versa, they should spend up to seven days acclimatizing to the change in their environment. This lets the body make internal adjustments (homeostasis) to compensate for the change in environment conditions. If the acclimatization process is ignored, then the person is at higher risk for heat related injuries (heat stroke, heat cramp, pneumonia).

To minimize the adverse impact of hot, humid conditions, the coaching and training staff must address three issues: 1) a rehydration strategy, 2) an acclimatization strategy, and 3) lifestyle issues. Since this post is about Acclimatization, “Preparing athletes for competition in the Heat: Developing an Effective Acclimatization Strategy” Article explains it all.

I hope the Flames Coaching and Training Staff will learn a thing or two from the article.