On hot days, IU Health athletic trainer Landon Bridges said safety is everyone’s number one priority.
INDIANAPOLIS — A heat wave in central Indiana is causing many school districts to modify outdoor after-school activities.
Decatur Central High School postponed football practice until Monday at 7 p.m.
“We’ve already delayed start times for tennis and soccer, but we’re not just looking at high school athletes. We’re looking at middle school athletes, youth athletes, performing arts. So this impacts a lot of groups beyond just high school athletes,” said Justin Dixon, director of operations at Decatur Central High School.
Many schools and colleges use a device called a wet bulb thermometer, which measures things like sun angle, humidity, and wind.
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“This (device) takes into account radiant heat, the surface temperature of the surface you’re playing on,” said Landon Bridges, an IU Health athletic trainer who works at George Washington High School.
Bridges said each student-athlete must be examined by a doctor before joining a sports team, which allows staff to know if a student needs a little more attention.
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Bridges said safety is everyone’s number one priority on hot days.
“Hopefully, you won’t get to this stage, but as it progresses to heat stroke, you stop sweating, your body stops trying to cool you down, your temperature goes over 104 degrees Fahrenheit, you get a terrible headache, you start to become confused. It’s a medical emergency,” Dr. Bridges said.
School officials say they will be monitoring temperatures throughout the week to determine if any other changes are needed.
“We could regulate and reduce hours, mandate mandatory breaks and hydration, and we could limit all outdoor activity,” Dixon said.