WNKY News 40 Weather Reports: Hot Days For School Sports

BUTLER CO ,Ky,-  As  student athletes gear up  late summer practices, they may find themselves dealing with the risks of intense heat more frequently. Meteorologist Darius Mack visits the Butler County High School to find out how students and coaches are adapting.  

“Before we had this indoor facility, if we weren’t able to practice outside, that meant we were going to a gymnasium. That meant that we were going to be limited on how much contact we could do, how much practice we could actually get done.”  Said Ryan Emmick,  District Safety Coordinator at Butler County Schools. 

The BCHS Fieldhouse serves as a safe space for students to practice during hot days. The addition of the indoor training facility takes away limitations during hot weather. According to KHSAA  guidelines, athletic trainers must follow certain procedures when planning sports activities. Coaches and trainers monitor the heat index and a wet bulb temperature.

A wet bulb temperature measures the amount of heat stress on the body in direct sunlight. It takes into account the temperature, humidity, and wind speed. The wet bulb index is used as a guideline for determining the level of risk when playing outdoors. The higher the number, the more unlikely outdoor sports events occur. 

 Emmick said players must get acclimated to heat by staying hydrated and avoid staying in the a/c all day before coming to practice. 

Without the right procedures , athletes are more subject to symptoms like heat cramps, heat exhaustion, or even worse, heat stroke. Emmick had stressed the importance of recognizing the signs early, and getting them somewhere cool as soon as possible.