We have been discussing young athletes and sickle cell trait. SCT should not be confused with sickle cell disease. A person with SCT is a "carrier;" a person with SCD is actively ill. The issue with carriers who are young athletes, though, is that physical stress can trigger a sickling crisis that can prove fatal. Just this summer a South Carolina teen died from an SCT crisis; in other states, parents of teen athletes have filed wrongful death actions against schools and coaches.

Research has shown that few SCT carriers -- in fact, few athletes with the condition are at risk for a sickling crisis. There is no reason that a teen with SCT cannot participate in sports, as long as the teen and the coaching staff follow modified training programs.

In our last post, we discussed the main stressors in traditional training programs that pose additional risks for athletes with SCT. At the top of the list are heat and humidity. While every athlete must be cautious working out on hot, humid days, people with SCT should be especially careful.

The South Carolina High School League has changed its training schedule to allow for those hot days. The teams train in shorts for three days before they begin to train in full gear. The athletes build up to carrying the weight and enduring the heat that come with all the equipment.

The most important preventive measure, medical specialists say, is to stay hydrated. Athletes should drink plenty of fluids in all kinds of weather.

Recognizing a sickling crisis can be difficult. Athletes may just look tired or "all in;" this is why it's important to know who has the condition. That said, an athlete in danger of a sickling crisis will appear weak, dazed or confused. He'll have trouble breathing and will appear more fatigued than his teammates. He will also likely be in pain -- muscle pains or cramping are typical. Finally, the athlete will pass out.

High school and college administrators and their coaching staffs should be particularly sensitive to SCT issues. It's important to remember that the condition exists primarily in blacks -- a failure to incorporate SCT-friendly training regimens can have ramifications far beyond the playing field. For families, though, the focus will always be keeping their teen athlete safe and healthy.

Source: Post & Courier, "While young black men die, debate continues on testing for sickle cell trait," Jeff Hartsell, Oct. 24, 2011