Heat and Athletes

If you plan to exercise while it’s hot outside:

• Limit outdoor activity, especially during the middle of the day when the sun is hottest if possible.
• Wear and reapply sunscreen as indicated on the package.
• Schedule workouts and practices earlier or later in the day when the temperature is cooler.
• Pace activity. Start activities slow and pick up the pace gradually.
• Drink more water than usual, and don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink more. Muscle cramping may be an early sign of heat-related illness.
• Monitor a teammate’s condition, and have someone do the same for you.
• Wear loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing.
• Follow additional tips on how to prevent heat-related illness.

Learn how to spot heat-related illness.

• Seek medical care immediately if you or a teammate has symptoms of heat-related illness.
• Take a CDC training course. Learn more on how to spot heat-related illness by participating in this course designed for coaches, teachers, parents, and high school athletes.

Check your local HeatRisk and Air Quality

Enter your zip code on the CDC HeatRisk Dashboard for the heat risk forecast in your area and recommended actions to protect your health.

• Plus, check air quality levels – so you can plan your week with your health in mind.

Heat-related illness in athletes can be prevented if coaches and athletes are properly educated about heat safety. Provided below are links to resources states are using to support this effort. In addition, we have provided links to two heat-related illness courses and a study on the effectiveness of heat acclimatization guidelines.

State Heat Resources for Athletes

Arizona

• ADHS – School Toolkit (azdhs.gov)
• Arizona Interscholastic Association – Heat Acclimatization & Exertional Heat Illness Management Policy

California

• Heat Illness – California Interscholastic Federation (cifstate.org)

Michigan

• Health & Safety | Michigan High School Athletic Association (mhsaa.com)

New York

• Heat Index Procedure (PDF) – New York State Public High School Athletic Association (nysphsaa.org)
• Preseason Heat Acclimation (PDF) – New York State Public High School Athletic Association (nysphsaa.org)
• Crumb-Rubber Infilled Synthetic Turf Athletic Fields (ny.gov)

North Carolina

• Heat Safety Tips for Athletes and Coaches (PDF) – North Carolina Division of Public Health (ncdhhs.gov)

Oregon

• OSAA – Health & Safety
• Sports Safety on Hot Days (PDF) – Multnomah County Health Department

Vermont

• Vermont Principal’s Association Procedure for Athletic Participation in the Heat (PDF) (vpaonline.org)

Heat Illness Prevention Resources

• Heat Illness In Young Athletes | Children’s Hospital Colorado (childrenscolorado.org)
• Heat Illness: Keeping Youth Sports Athletes Safe (truesport.org)
• HEAT ILLNESS | Sports Medicine Today (sportsmedtoday.com)
• Nutrition, Sleep and Performance Educational Resources – NCAA.org
• Heat Preparedness and Hydration | USA Football
• Heat Safety Tips and Resources (weather.gov)
• Heat Forecast Tools (weather.gov)
• Extreme Heat Safety | Heat Exhaustion Safety | Red Cross

Heat Illness Prevention Courses

• Heat Illness Prevention Course (nfhslearn.com)
• Recognizing, Preventing and Treating Heat-Related Illness (cdc.gov)

Publications

• The Association between Mandated Preseason Heat Acclimatization Guidelines and Exertional Heat Illness during Preseason High School American Football Practices | Environmental Health Perspectives | Vol. 127, No. 4 (nih.gov)