Breathe Easy, Act Quickly: Demystifying Hyperventilation Syndrome in Athletes

BOC Domains of Athletic Training: Domain II - Assessment, Evaluation and Diagnosis Domain III - Critical Incident Management Domain IV - Therapeutic Interventions Presentation Description: This session explores hyperventilation syndrome in athletes, focusing on its identification, assessment, and management. Athletic trainers will learn how to recognize the signs and symptoms of hyperventilation syndrome, differentiate it from other respiratory conditions, and apply effective techniques to manage it in high-pressure sports environments. Real-world examples and scenario-based training will be used to enhance practical understanding and improve emergency care. Learning Objectives: Recognize the distinguishing features of hyperventilation syndrome in athletes and understand its underlying causes. Apply effective scene safety checks and utilize the OPQRST approach for a comprehensive secondary assessment in emergency situations. Review effective breathing regulation techniques and other calming strategies to help athletes recover from hyperventilation. Clinical Practice Gap Statement: Despite the prevalence of hyperventilation syndrome in high-pressure sports environments, many athletic trainers lack comprehensive training in recognizing and managing this condition. This session aims to address this gap by providing practical knowledge and scenario-based training, enabling trainers to quickly assess and effectively manage athletes exhibiting hyperventilation symptoms. Clinical Bottom Line Statement: Hyperventilation syndrome, often related to anxiety or high-stress environments, can be alarming but is typically benign with proper management. Athletic trainers must be equipped to identify, assess, and calm athletes experiencing this condition while ruling out more severe underlying causes. Summary Conclusions: Hyperventilation syndrome is often linked to high-stress sports environments and can be addressed through calming techniques and breathing regulation. Differentiating hyperventilation syndrome from other respiratory conditions requires a thorough assessment, including scene safety checks, OPQRST, and secondary assessment. Implementing proper breathing techniques and calming strategies can help athletes recover from hyperventilation quickly. Effective communication and eye contact are key to calming athletes experiencing hyperventilation. If hyperventilation persists or is accompanied by other concerning symptoms, seek further medical assistance.  

Caitlin Place came to know athletic training as so many others do, through an injury of her own during high school sports. With a new passion for the field, she attended the University of Northern Iowa. She completed an athletic training internship at Mayo Clinic, passed her BOC, and graduated from UNI in 2016 with her bachelor’s degree in athletic training. Caitlin is currently in her eighth year as an athletic trainer, and has worked in a variety of settings, including an orthopedic clinic, out-patient physical therapy, and high school and junior college outreach with a multitude of sports. Currently, she is the athletic trainer for Jackson County Central in Jackson, Minnesota, the very high school where she was first introduced to sports medicine. In addition to athletic training, Caitlin’s other passion is emergency medicine. She has been an EMT for two years, and was a first responder for a year before that. She has been able to use her dual credentials to update local EMS protocols on cold water immersion for heat stroke, and train both the ambulance service and hospital emergency department on football equipment removal. She also uses her online presence to educate on the role and importance of athletic trainers, and as a result, has appeared on two athletic training podcasts. She also hopes to obtain paramedic knowledge and credentials someday. When not indulging in her work passions, Caitlin loves reading, playing board games, helping with the local church youth group, and spending time with her husband Riley, their four-year-old daughter, three-month-old son, and three large dogs.

Action Medicine Consultants, LLC (BOC AP#: P12095) is approved by the Board of Certification, Inc. to provide continuing education to Athletic Trainers (ATs). This program is eligible for a maximum of 0.75 Category A hours/CEUs. ATs should claim only those hours actually spent in the educational program. GENERAL DISCLAIMER: It is the responsibility of the participant, relying on the independent expertise and knowledge of the patient, to determine the best treatment and method of application for the patient. Participants must use discretion when using the information contained within this presentation.  The presenter has provided the following regarding disclaimers: The information and content provided in this course are for informational purposes only. The presenter nor Action Medicine Consultants, LLC bears no liability for your use of this information and content. The views expressed in this course are those of the presenter(s). CONFLICTS OF INTEREST: In compliance with continuing education requirements, all presenters must disclose any financial or other associations with the manufacturers of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services, or commercial supporters as well as any use of unlabeled product(s) or product(s) under investigational use.  This presentation does not involve the unlabeled use of a product or product under investigational use.  During the presentation, the presenter provides disclosure of any relevant financial relationships or other associations.  Refund Policy:  Live (virtual or in-person) Courses - Full refunds (Minus 10% for handling fees) are given after completion of the course if cancellation request is received 14 days prior to the course date. No refunds will be given after this deadline, but fees may be applied to another current or a future course. This also applies to virtual courses if a technical issue occurred on the presenter side that prevented a full presentation from being performed. On-Demand Courses - No refunds will be given, but fees may be applied to another current or a future course if there is a technical issue in Action Medicine Consultant's delivery of the course and in which no certificate of completion was issued.