CLEVELAND -- Kids that are involved in summer sports should be aware of the affects that the hot summer heat can have on them, reported NewsChannel5's Tonya Strong.

Pietro Shakarian, 14, is working hard to earn a place on the football team at Saint Edward High School in Lakewood.

"Right now, I'm playing and I'm thinking of even going into track or wrestling eventually,” said Shakarian.

Right now, he's just conditioning but it's still important to monitor his overall health during practice due to potential heat-related illnesses.

Both coaches and doctors say that what a student athlete does before practice is just as important as what he or she does after practice.

Greg Urbas has been coaching kids in wrestling and football at St. Edward for nearly three decades.

“Hydration is the key, and even if you send the kids to get water, some kids may not want it. They'll say, 'I'm fine. I'm fine.' Well, I send everybody,” said Urbas.

Dr. Thomas Ginley, of MetroHealth Medical Center, is a pediatrician and team doctor for St. Edward. He says for training activities lasting more than 30 minutes, a sports drink that has some sugar and salt is probably a better choice than water.

For heat cramps, which are generally in the calves, Ginley says the remedy is to stretch.

If an athlete faints and he or she is still breathing and has a pulse, cool him or her down with ice and cold water.

Heat exhaustion and heat stroke both are much more serious conditions, and heat stroke can even lead to death. Call 911 if an athlete suffers from either condition.

Ginley also says get on the scale before and after practice and replace fluids.