Is it too hot to practice? Ohio, Kentucky have different rules

The August heat has been hitting hard and as extreme heat rises and rises throughout the week, local athletic programs must monitor the heat for player safety.

Several programs have had to deal with the weather by canceling events or pushing back starting times to allow the effect of heat and humidity to lessen.

What guidelines do Ohio and Kentucky high schools have for combating extreme temperatures? It all starts with the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature.

Knowing the safe temperatures and conditions for athletes to compete isn't just getting the weather report on the morning news or from the app on a phone.

Organizations such as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) have moved away from the heat index and recommend utilizing WBGT to assess environmental heat. Based on recommendations from the National Federation of State High School Associations, both the Ohio and Kentucky High School Athletic Associations have made similar switches to measuring via WBGT (with the KHSAA allowing heat index as an optional choice until the end of the 2023-2024 season). The Indiana High School Athletic Association goes with the heat index.

The WBGT is measured in direct sunlight and takes the ambient temperature, humidity, wind and sun and cloud cover into consideration for calculation. The idea is that the WBGT takes into consideration all of the conditions that an athlete would play through as opposed to just regular temperature readings.

Heat index takes into account just the humidity and ambient temperature but for shady areas as opposed to areas in direct sunlight.

Wet Bulb Globe Temperature has no conversion charts to calculate the WBGT from other measurements. A specialty on-site device must be used at the location of practices or games. The KHSAA has measuring procedures that include: the monitoring device placed three to four feet above the playing surface, leaving the device exposed to conditions for more than 15 minutes before activities begin. Contest or location officials should take measurements every 30 minutes during the competition.

The OHSAA and KHSAA have guidelines for avoiding heat illness about requiring water and sports drinks at all times or having cold tubs ready for cooldowns, but their WBGT guidelines have slight differences.

In Ohio, the OHSAA recommends:

In Kentucky, the KHSAA requires:

The IHSAA uses a chart defining the heat index based on temperature and humidity. The IHSAA also requires a period of heat acclimatization during the first two weeks of fall football practice. The liquid of choice for hydration is water, but say a sports drink may be advised after 45 minutes of practice.