NFL Teams Using Digital Pill to Prevent Heat Stroke

Posted on July 28, 2005

Sports teams are using a new radio pill, called the CorTemp Temperature Pill, that can monitor a players real-time core body temperature and report back the results to a PDA. Engadget said teams like the Philadelphia Eagles and Jacksonville Jaguars have already started using the pills after Minnesota Vikings offensive lineman Korey Stringer died of heat stroke four years ago.

The players ingest the pill, which transmits their body temperature to a handheld device for about 24 hours or so, after which it's eliminated from the body. All the hardware involved here ain't cheap - teams fork over $2,500 apiece for a few data recorders, plus an optional $4,000 handheld that serves as a central monitor for all the players. The bright side is it makes that iPaq hx4700 seem like a steal.

It does sound quite expensive, but it can save lives. Hopefully, the price for technology like this will drop over time. We hope more NFL teams start using the temperature tracking pills.

HEALTH