Therefore, for sportspersons who are involved in intense physical activity in the outdoors, all other forms of core body temperature measurements besides the rectal and gastrointestinal measurements are considered invalid and not recommendable. [Casa et.al, 2007]
Contraindications
As with any other drug or diagnostic tools, there are some contraindications for the 'Heat Pill' as well. The existence of gastrointestinal disorders, inflammatory bowel syndrome or a previous history of gastrointestinal surgery are cases where the use of the heat pill is not recommended. The Core temp Pill is also contraindicated in case of those who have implanted cardiac pacemakers or any other electro medical device in their body. Also, if the subject is going to have a MRI taken during the day then the Core Temp Pill should not be ingested, as it would interfere with the MRI results. Also in some extremely obese individuals, the patient's girth may effectively exceed the radial range of the sensor, which is approximately 24 inches. [HQ Inc.]
Cost of the Heat Pill
As good it is as a preventive screening tool, the heat pill is quite an expensive option and may not be affordable for all athletic departments. With the monitoring device costing around $2,500 and an added $35 for every ingestible pill, this device may not be appealing for everyone. As Eric Coris, the director of Sports medicine program at the University of South Florida (USF) says cost would be a crucial factor in the widespread acceptance of this technology, "Monitoring players' heat and fatigue levels likely will become the norm as the technology increases and the price to participate decreases, Ultimately, it may get into the performance realm," [J.L Webb]
Conclusion
The 'Heat Pill' has made possible calculating core body temperature in a non-laboratory environment on a realtime basis. For assessing hyperthermia on the field, the 'heat pill' offers the best technological means and the most useful life saving screening method for the Trainers. While there is little doubt that the Core Temp is a reliable, easy to use and potentially life saving screening tool...
In the near future when the price drops as with all emerging technologies, the 'Heat Pill' would be more widely used and could possibly eliminate heat stroke, which is currently the third most important cause of death among athletes in America. There is no question of doubt that the 'Heat Pill' will serve as a life saving technological advancement for athletes around the world.
Bibliography
1) Jon Krawczynski, (2005),' NFL Teams to use Pill to Monitor Body Temperature', Accessed Feb 21st 2010, Updated 8/15/2005, available at, http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/2005-08-15-pill-heat-nfl_x.htm
2) Abigail Funk, (2008), 'Heat Illness Study Roundup', Accessed Feb 21st 2010, Available at, http://www.training-conditioning.com/2008/08/study_roundup_heat_illness_1.html
3) Dan Peterson, (2009),' Heat Stroke Deaths in Football 'All Preventable', Accessed Feb 21st 2010, Available at, http://www.livescience.com/health/090202-sports-heat-stroke.html
4) NASA, (2006), 'Ingestible Thermometer Pill aids Athletes in Beating the Heat', Accessed Feb 21st 2010, Available at, http://ipp.gsfc.nasa.gov/TOP-SS-Ing-Thermom.html
5) Douglas J. Casa PhD, Shannon M. Becker MA & Matthew S. Ganio, MS et.al (2007), ' Validity of Devices that Assess Body Temperature During Outdoor Exercise in the Heat', Journal of Athletic Training 42(3) 333-342
6) HQ Inc., 'CorTemp: Ingestible Core Body temperature Sensor. Intended Use / Contraindications',
7) HQ Inc., 'Core Temperature Monitoring via Telemetry: Research Applications',
8) J.L Webb, 'Team Physicians Use Cutting-Edge Technology,
Common Sense to Battle Heat-Related Illness', Accessed Feb 21st
2010, Available at, http://orlando.medicalnewsinc.com/news.php?viewStoryPrinter=711
9) Associated Press (Aug 2005), 'Pill Monitors Athletes' Body Heat', Accessed Feb 21st 2010, available at, http://www.wired.com/medtech/health/news/2005/08/68522
10) UAB Health System, 'Heat Related Illness', Accessed Feb 21st 2010, available at, http://www.uabhealth.org/14224/
