High School Football Teams in South Florida Prioritize Player Safety amid Summer Heat
As high school football teams in South Florida prepare for the upcoming season, they face a formidable adversary beyond the football field—the scorching summer heat. With the start of practices, the primary focus is on ensuring the safety and well-being of the players amid soaring temperatures. This year, however, dealing with the relentless summer heat presents a unique challenge. Modern technology, specifically Wet Bulb Globe Thermometers (WBGT), is being utilized to protect players and ensure their comfort during the hottest summer days.
Michele Benz, an athletic trainer at the high school, explained the significance of WBGT, underscoring how it differs from traditional heat index or "feels like" temperature assessments. She pointed out that conventional measurements are taken in shaded areas and consider only humidity and the ambient temperature. In contrast, WBGT considers additional factors like humidity, wind, radiant sunlight, and overall temperature. Benz further delved into the nuanced nature of WBGT readings, explaining that even slight environmental changes such as cloud cover or increased wind can have a significant impact on the temperature reading.
“When we get to certain degrees on our WBGT, modifications and accommodations are made,” she said. These adjustments can range from extending water breaks to providing shade under tents. In more extreme cases, athletic trainers have the authority to remove players' equipment or suspend practice entirely based on the WBGT reading. If the thermometer's reading is below 82 degrees Fahrenheit, practice can proceed as usual. However, if the reading exceeds 92.1 degrees or higher, practice must be halted or moved indoors due to safety concerns. To learn more, click here.
