Environmental Concerns in Volleyball

The sporting environment in which the volleyball athlete trains and competes influences performance and risk of injury. Although in a broad sense, the “environment” can be considered to include the court or playing surface and the other equipment of the game, in addition to the presence of spectators, the principal focus of this chapter is on weather and temperature‐related concerns. The most important environmental concern pertaining to the sport of volleyball is exertional heat illness. The Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) index is considered the best measure of environmental heat stress and is used to assess the risk of exertional heat illness. Diuretics may result in relative dehydration. Athletes on these medications should be cautioned about the increased risk of dehydration and heat‐related illness. Heat stress may precipitate three different types of heat illness in athletes: heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke. Prevention strategies should emphasize athlete education and physiological adaptation.