Recovery and return to activity following exertional heat stroke: considerations for the sports medicine staff.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the current scientific evidence of recovery and return to activity following exertional heat stroke (EHS).


METHODS
Information was collected using MEDLINE and SPORTDiscus databases in English using combinations of key words, exertional heat stroke, recovery, rehabilitation, residual symptoms, heat tolerance, return to activity, and heat illness.


METHODS
Relevant peer-reviewed, military, and published text materials were reviewed.


METHODS
Inclusion criteria were based on the article's coverage of return to activity, residual symptoms, or testing for long-term treatment. Fifty-two out of the original 554 sources met these criteria and were included in data synthesis.


RESULTS
The recovery time following EHS is dependent on numerous factors, and recovery length is individually based and largely dependent on the initial care provided.


CONCLUSIONS
Future research should focus on developing a structured return-to-activity strategy following EHS.
McDermott
Brendon P
BP
Department of Kinesiology at the University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA. brendon.mcdermott@uconn.edu
Casa
Douglas J
DJ
Yeargin
Susan W
SW
Ganio
Matthew S
MS
Armstrong
Lawrence E
LE
Maresh
Carl M
CM
D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D018883:Heat Stroke / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D005082:Physical Exertion / Q000502:physiology*; D013178:Sports Medicine; D014481:United States