HEAT PROTOCOLS (For All Athletics Events, Recess, and Student Outdoor Activities)
Spring ISD follows the recommended Texas UIL policy for conducting practices, conditioning workouts, walk throughs and games in all sports during times of extremely high heat and/or humidity for all athletic events, recess, and student outdoor activities.
New research has found the gold standard for implementation of heat illness protocols is to use the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) as a means to track appropriate conditions for outside activity and therefore mitigate the chance of exertional heat illness.
Spring ISD Heat Protocols follow modified guidelines of the American College of Sports Medicine in regard to:
The scheduling of practices at various heat/humidity levels
The ratio of workout time to time allotted for rest and hydration at various heat/humidity levels.
The heat/humidity level that will result in practice being terminated.
Recent research has demonstrated that as environmental temperature and humidity increase, there is an increase in the heat stress that is placed on the exercising individual. Exercise in the heat causes athletes to rely on evaporation of sweat from the skin as the primary method of dissipating heat that is produced by the working muscles. As humidity increases, the ability to dissipate heat through evaporation is further hindered, thus causing the body to have an increased body temperature, which increases the risk of EHS
A Wet Bulb Globe Temperature device is a measurement tool that uses ambient temperature, relative humidity, wind, and solar radiation from the sun to get a measure that can be used to monitor environmental conditions during exercise. Establishing WBGT guidelines that dictate modifications in activity (work:rest ratios, hydration breaks, equipment worn, length of practice) at given WBGT temperatures play a huge factor in helping to prevent heat stress.
Spring ISD Heat Temperature Table
Temp.
Heat Index
Spring ISD Outdoor Activity Guidelines for Students
Below
82.0
Below
80.0
Normal Activities – Little to no risk from expected heat. Recess is permitted.
82.0 – 86.9
80.0 – 90.0
Use Discretion – Minor risk from expected heat. Dress comfortably. Exercising in direct sunlight will stress your body after 45 minutes. Use effective cooling and/or adequate hydration. Recess and outdoor activities can occur.
87.0 – 89.9
90.1 – 105.0
Use Caution – Moderate risk from expected heat. Dress in light clothing (i.e. shorts & t-shirt). Exercising in direct sunlight will stress your body after 30 minutes. Provide a 4-minute break for every 15 minutes of physical activity. Use effective cooling and/or adequate hydration. Recess and outdoor activities may occur.
90.0 – 92.0
105.1 – 115.0
Use Extreme Caution – High risk from expected heat. No jackets, hoodies or heavy clothing while outside. Dress in light clothing (i.e. shorts & t-shirt). Exercising in direct sunlight will stress your body after 20 minutes. Physical activity should be limited to less than 20 minutes. Followed immediately by effective cooling and adequate hydration. Recess and outdoor activities are not recommended.
Above
92.1
Above
115.0
No Outdoor Activities allowed – Extreme risk from expected heat. Exercising in direct sunlight will stress your body after 15 minutes. Recess and outdoor activities are not permitted.
HEAT MEASUREMENT DIRECTIONS
To identify the WBGT temperature:
Scroll down to map, type in your address
Scroll down to Flag Level Guidelines and choose KSI Region 3: Southern U.S.
Then click submit.
A chart will appear that will give you the forecasted WBGT temperature trends for your area throughout the week in intervals of 12 hours.
Use the WBGT calculation for the time of day and correlate to the Spring ISD Heat Temperature Table to determine allowable outdoor student activities
Note: Secondary schools can also obtain their current WBGT temperature from the Kestrel WBGT Measurements tool monitored by Campus Athletic Coordinator.
To find the Heat Index temperature:
Type in weather.gov in your search bar
Type in your zip code in the search box on the upper top left hand of the website
Click go
You will see the weather for the area. Next to the current bolded temperature scan the bolded titles and find the Heat Index for your area.
PROCEDURES FOR ACTIVITIES DURING EXTREME HEAT
Temperatures are often record breaking when school begins in August. Teachers and coaches are responsible for ensuring the safety of their students during any and all outside activities. The following procedures should be put into place to support the health and safety of all students during recess, P.E., athletic periods or any outdoor activities in alignment with the Spring ISD Heat Temperature Table (see above).
Recess & Outdoor Activities:
Teachers will discuss the heat with the students.
Teachers will remind students to get a drink of water before and after going outside.
Teachers will not require students to stay outside in the sun, but will provide shade as needed.
Teachers will limit the amount of time the students are outside in the direct sun.
Teachers will monitor and limit the amount of physical activity in the direct sun and provide frequent water breaks.
Teachers will monitor the students closely for any beginning signs of heat exhaustion.
Physical Education & Athletics Classes:
Coaches will limit the outside physical fitness endurance requirements on days when the Heat Index is in excess of 105°.
Coaches will monitor the fluid intake of the students involved in outside activities.
Coaches will limit outside physical activity to periods of 15 to 20 minutes, encouraging and allowing water intake as desired.
Coaches will closely monitor the students for any beginning signs of heat exhaustion.
For secondary schools, UIL Heat Stress & Athletic Participation Guidelines must be followed.
ADDITIONAL SUPPORT DOCUMENTS
If you have questions, please reach out to Spring ISD district contact below:
