Schools adjust outdoor practice times with high temperatures

SALT LAKE CITY — Over half of the schools around the Wasatch Front are back in session as high temperatures cause problems for teams who practice outdoors.

Assistant Director of the Utah High School Activities Association Brenana Jackson says this is a huge problem, not just for outdoor sports, but also for activities like marching band.

According to Jackson, most schools are choosing to hold practice in the morning or evenings on especially hot days. 

Jackson says to help make these decisions, the association received a grant to purchase a wet bulb globe. This device measures the temperature, humidity, wind and other factors to show the heat index – how hot it feels – outside.

“If the wet bulb globe shows that it’s too hot to practice,” says Jackson. “They have to change practice times or go to a different site like on the grass, or mornings, or evenings.”

If the levels aren’t quite so high, coaches will provide accommodations by giving students longer breaks and having them drink plenty of water.

“Even during games, we will extend time-outs,” Jackson said. “We will extend the quarter breaks and allow kids and the officials extra time to get hydrated.”

The heat can be especially difficult for students participating in activities that require a lot of gear, like football. Teams will do a 14 day acclimatization period.

“They start off the first couple of days in just helmets,” says Jackson. “Then, as the body learns how to dissipate heat, then we add equipment.”

According to Jackson, by the end of the two week period players can wear a full uniform and hold two practices a day, three days a week.

---

Other stories related to high temperatures:

Salt Lake City seeing warmer temperatures during winter

Salt Lake’s high of 103 breaks record set in 1940, fire warnings and heat advisories continue