High school sports take precautions as extreme heat continues

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) -- With temperatures reaching the upper 90s, many high school sports organizations are taking precautions for their athletes.

Throughout the week, games have been pushed back and practices have been moved inside.

Most schools use wet-bulb globe temperature (WBGT) to determine safe weather for athletes to play in.

Kaci Ludwig, Mosaic athletic trainer has been taking readings on the WBGT to check conditions.

"It gives us a calculation which is the wet-bulb. Then we have guidelines and restrictions based on MSHSSA," she said. "They give us a range of practice restrictions based on that temperature."

Ludwig communicates with coaches ahead of time to determine whether conditions are appropriate for athletes to practice.

"Kinda decide what are they trying to get out of their practice today, and would these restrictions hold them back or make it more difficult to have a productive practice," she said. If so, we need to change our venue of location that way we're not out here in the heat.

Ludwig has cold immersion tub on standby for any athlete that could be experiencing heat exhaustion.

"Ready to go for any athlete at any point of time when we're outside, and that way we can rapidly cool them and activate emergency protocol at that point," she said.

Central and Benton high schools square off Friday night, with temperatures expected to reach the 90s.

Sheldon Farrell, Central high school football coach said the team plans to use a platoon system, a system used in football to battle extreme heat and player exhaustion.

"We try to keep people playing one side of the ball so they can stay fresh, and there is no long-term fatigue because it’s going to be really hot," he said. "That’s gonna play a part into it. Just also rotating our guys in who earned the opportunity and trust in us to go in and make plays."

Due to the extreme heat, Central has moved their football practices to the morning instead of practicing in the afternoon.

"It keeps them fresh and keeps them out of the heat so there’s nothing crazy happens. We've been preaching hydration and taking care of your body through diet all summer," he said

While Benton high school football coach said they have been in constant communication with their athletes about what the week could look like due to the extreme heat.

"We need to assume that it’s gonna to be very limited and very difficult, and that we need to focus in on details, and take advantage of our time because you might be only allowed 60 minutes of practice or very limited time outside," Mark Cole said. "Maybe very little contact time because of the heat; may say no pads. We have to focus, and lock in on some details, and take advantage of every second we have."

Overall hydration and having balance diet are key for all athletes during this heatwave.

"Take a gallon milk jug, empty it out and drink one in half of those in your school day, and that will get you prepared for practicing in the heat," she said. It's not eating processed foods, sugars and stuff like that before your game day. It's eating good protein and good carbs that can give you that energy source, and help your muscles and help you perform."

Recovery is huge for every athlete after playing an intense game.