As Iowa’s summer heat intensifies, high school teams are adjusting their game plans to keep athletes safe. Athletic directors, coaches, and trainers are increasing hydration, monitoring field conditions, and watching athletes closely as temperatures climb into the 90s.

Heat Safety Precautions

Ankeny Activities Director Mike Bakker said that coaches are working with athletes to ensure they are hydrating well in advance of hot days. Hydration begins days before the hottest weather arrives, and athletic trainers stock dugouts with water, ice, cooling towels, and other ways for athletes to cool down.

Athletic trainers use a Wet Bulb Globe Temperature monitor, which accounts for air temperature, humidity, sunlight, and wind to better measure the heat stress athletes experience. According to Iowa’s heat guidance, readings in the orange zone require additional hydration opportunities and modifications for outdoor activities.

The Iowa High School Athletic Association and Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union use WBGT readings, not just air temperature, to determine when schools should adjust practices and contests. Depending on the reading and the sport, schools may be required to increase the frequency and length of hydration breaks, reduce practice length or intensity, remove some protective equipment during practices, delay or postpone contests if heat stress becomes too dangerous, or cancel outdoor activities when WBGT reaches the highest threshold.

For Bakker, every decision comes back to one priority: keeping player safety in mind. As Iowa heads into what is typically the hottest part of the summer sports season, schools say preparation not just during games, but in the days leading up to them, is key to helping athletes compete safely.

Original reporting: KCCI Des Moines — read the source article.