Knowledge Bank

Climate change fundamentally impacts all aspects of life, including athletics. Two of the most pervasive impacts of climate change that are becoming especially dangerous for athletes are air pollution and extreme heat. To better understand the policy implications for youth athletics, a survey was conducted to determine the extent and variability of high school athletic policies aimed to protect student athletes from extreme heat and poor air quality in the Midwest/Great Lakes region of the United States of America. Nine high school athletic association websites were reviewed for their policies relating to these adverse conditions. The associations were subsequently contacted via phone and email to schedule an interview during which additional details were gathered, clarifying questions asked, and documentation requested. Results found there is considerable variability in the extreme heat and air quality practices of high school athletic associations in the Midwest/Great Lakes region. None of the policies in the focal region were as robust as policies seen in states that had experienced prolonged extreme heat and poor air quality events. Even in an age of feasible measurement of heat and air quality conditions, immediate communication of information, and deep understanding of health consequences of these environmental conditions, uniform and exact policies needed to protect young athletes were not found within the surveyed associations.