Local schools use wet bulb guidelines to protect athletes from heat

By Morgan Kjornes

PEORIA, Ill. (25 News) – Local schools are taking extra precautions to keep student-athletes safe amid high heat.

25 News spoke with Peoria Christian Schools’ athletic director to learn more about the protections in place.

He said all athletic directors are required to use a wet bulb globe temperature to measure environmental heat.

Wet bulb globe temperature accounts for air temperature, humidity, wind speed and cloud coverage instead of the standard heat index.

“And I think having these guidelines that all schools are on this level playing field, if it hits that threshold, we can’t practice. So, it’s not putting any team at advantage over the other. It’s just literally we’re protecting our athletes,” said Cory Hynek, athletic director, Peoria Christian Schools.

There are also guidelines provided by the Illinois High School Association to protect athletes from heat illness.

The IHSA guidelines range from heat temperatures that can be played into the number of water breaks needed in a practice window.

A link to all of the IHSA guidelines is available on www.ihsa.org/health-safety/heat-hydration-and-performance.