Commentary Opinion: A Fox News.Com reported on Thursday that a Virginia teenager had mysteriously collapsed and died after she had participated and completed her first official day of a practice run for a planned cross country team being conducted by her high school in Newport News.
It’s my opinion that a lot of students are pushing themselves to the point of collapse to compete in high school functions and their bodies are “not” prepared for the extreme exercise and heat they have to endure. The majority of these students have never experienced running in high heat temperatures and I believe it’s having a severe health issue for them.
No, I’m definitely not a doctor but I do have the right to voice an opinion about students being exposed to extreme exercise in high heat conditions; and I believe the two combined conditions can be hazardous to any person’s health.
It’s my belief that many students who have “not” participated in strenuous exercise programs are opening Pandora’s Box to serious health issues that could harm them.
WAVY.com stated that Joy Meyer, a 14-year old, was about a month from starting her freshman year at Menchville High School in Newport News. The practice run took place at the Noland Trail which is at the Mariner’s Museum Park; and after Joy’s completed practice run, she complained of dizziness and soon thereafter, she collapsed.
They also reported that Meyer was rushed to a local hospital and it was there that she was pronounced dead.
A Newport News Public Schools spokeswoman, Michelle Price, expressed to WAVY.com that Meyer did have a current physical on file and it did not state any warning signs or any known medical conditions.
It also mentioned there was a pair of coaches and trainers present at the time Meyer did her first practice run.
A recent Menchville High School graduate, Brad Sullivan, who was a former cross country team member stated that the Noland Trail is a taxing and demanding running course. He stated, “The entire trail is that of running up and down hills; and with a possibility that there could be 95 degree heat; and a person should be taking a break every half mile and to drink water.”
Parents and educators it is my belief that the necessary actions be taken to ensure that students are physically fit and without any health issues before they’re permitted to train in extreme heat conditions, and if they have “not” been prepared for an extreme exercise program, they need to plan an exercise program to get them prepared for an “extreme exercise” practice run before they attempt to ever make a practice run.
Barbara Kasey Smith is the writer of this article and it was based on a Fox News.Com report.
Source:
Fox News.Com (WAVY.com)