The Iowa High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) recently revamped its heat safety protocol with a new heat stress mandate. The latest IHSAA mandate includes guidelines for monitoring the wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT), and updated rules for outdoor activities and practice. This guide explains all you need to know about Iowa‘s IHSAA’s heat stress activity guidelines and the impact of WBGT monitoring on school heat safety.
What are the New IHSAA Weather Rules?
The new IHSAA weather rules outline specific guidelines for athletic activity based on real-time WBGT readings. These guidelines ensure athletes participate in safe practices while minimizing the risk of heat illness. Here’s a summary of the latest IHSAA heat guidelines:
What Is Mandated in the New Iowa IHSAA Heat Guidelines?
The Iowa State High School Association Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) mandate requires all Iowa High School Athletic Association (IHSAA), Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union (IGHSAU), Iowa High School Music Association (IHSMA), and Iowa High School Speech Association (IHSSA) affiliated schools and athletic programs to implement on-site WBGT monitoring protocols and heat illness prevention plans based on WBGT readings.
The new bill proposes these regulations for all IHSAA-affiliated schools in Iowa, effective from the 2024-2025 school year:
- WBGT must be measured every 30 minutes (on-site where the activity is held)
- The same person should monitor WBGT throughout the event.
- Follow the guidelines for the lowest category when practice starts. If the WBGT increases, adjust activities accordingly.
- Schools must have an exertional heat illness emergency action plan.
- At-risk athletes should be monitored closely.
Why Has the IHSAA Chosen WBGT and NOT Heat Index?
Heat index doesn’t account for factors like sunlight, wind, and individual differences. The heat index doesn’t match real-world conditions, and is especially inaccurate for active individuals like athletes.
Unlike heat index, Wet Bulb Globe Temperature is a more in-depth metric taking into account more of the environment (Direct sunlight, water vapor capacity, cloud coverage, etc.), making it the best way to calculate and monitor heat stress symptoms on the human body.
Learn more about the differences between WBGT and Heat Index here.
IHSAA Heat Stress Mandate FAQs
How Do I Take A WBGT Reading?
Readings can be taken using a WBGT monitoring device like a weather monitoring station or a handheld monitor. Readings must be taken by an athletic director/administrator or medical personnel overseeing the event. The WBGT should be monitored throughout the event and readings must be taken every 20 to 30 minutes, with athletic activities being adjusted accordingly. Participation modifications must be communicated to the coaching staff before and during practice.
When Should I Take A Reading?
The Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) must be set up at least 15-20 minutes before starting the activity. This is to allow the device to acclimatize at the venue. The WBGT should be monitored throughout the event and readings must be taken every 20 to 30 minutes, with athletic activities adjusted accordingly.
Why Is Heat Acclimatization Needed at the Start of the Season?
Heat acclimatization is essential at the start of the season to prepare your body for the increased physical demands and hot conditions. It is essential to follow the state guidelines for heat acclimatization in your sport or activity. Heat acclimatization helps:
- Prevent Heat Illnesses
- Improve Performance
- Reduce the Risk of Injury
How Do I Measure the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT)?
You can measure wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) using on-site weather stations, handheld devices known as WBGT monitors, or online WBGT and weather monitoring apps. These tools measure temperature, humidity, and sunlight to calculate the WBGT index.
Why Should I Track the WBGT?
Regular monitoring of WBGT levels allows coaches and athletic trainers to adjust training schedules, implement hydration protocols, and make informed decisions to protect athletes from high temperature and heat-related risks. Tracking the WBGT is crucial to protect athletes’ health and safety during outdoor practices, games, and events. A high WBGT reading increases the risk of extreme heat-related illnesses like heat stroke, heat exhaustion, and muscle cramps. These illnesses can cause serious problems like dizziness, fatigue, or even organ failure.
Which Category Does Iowa Belong To?
The wet bulb globe temperature chart lists the state’s established WBGT zone guidelines outlining specific protocols based on regional heat variations. The WBGT monitoring policy guidelines will vary based on the category that the region belongs to. Iowa primarily falls under Category 2.
What Is The Impact of the New Iowa Heat Stress Mandate on Schools and IHSAA Athletics?Heat illness is the leading cause of preventable death among high school athletes. The Iowa High School Athletic Association (IHSAA)’s new mandate aims to create a safer environment for student-athletes by raising awareness about the dangers of heat stress, teaching athletes how to stay safe in hot weather, and making sure schools take steps to prevent heat-related problems during sports activities.
These new heat stress policies underscore the importance of staying hydrated, acclimatized, and following safety protocols during hot weather activities.
What Are The Ways To Measure WBGT?
Ensuring that WBGT readings are accurate and reliable is crucial to safeguard athletes from heat stress. Although several options exist, each carries advantages and limitations. Here’s a breakdown of the most common WBGT monitoring methods to comply with the Iowa heat stress mandate:
Handheld WBGT Monitors
Kestrel
Handheld wet bulb globe temperature devices offer quick readings.
However, they sacrifices precision for convenience and often display inaccurate readings.
| Pros: | Cons: |
| Portable: Convenient for taking measurements on the go | Cost: Although cheaper upfront, handheld WBGT devices need frequent calibration, leading to higher ongoing costs. |
| Durable: Designed for outdoor use | Inaccurate Readings: The small 1-inch black bulb sensor often gives less accurate readings compared to larger, professional weather stations. |
| Prone to Human Error: Handhelds require the readings to be taken manually, increasing the risk of human error. | |
| Limited features: Lacks features like real-time tracking, historical data logging, or custom alerts. | |
| No Policy Integration: No support for organizational policy integration and custom policies, requiring additional manual effort. | |
| Limited Connectivity: Works on WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity, which may not always be reliable, especially outdoors. |
Free Weather Apps and Websites
WeatherBug
Many free weather apps can estimate the WBGT using distant weather data from the nearest airport.
While these apps are easy to use, the data might not be as accurate or specific as measurements taken directly at your location by weather stations.
| Pros | Cons |
| Free to Use: No initial upfront cost to download or access the app or website. | Inaccurate Readings: Lack of on-site data means WBGT readings might not be specific to your location, leading to unreliable heat stress estimates. |
| Widely Available: Basic weather information is accessible on most smartphones. | Delayed Weather Data: Free apps like WeatherBug source weather data that is delayed by several minutes, which can be risky for heat safety monitoring. |
| Limited Features: Free apps lack critical features like custom and automated alerts, historical data logging, and WBGT forecasts. | |
| Lack of Policy Integration: Free apps lack support for custom policies and seamless organizational policy integration, which means you’ll have to manually track policy risks. |
On-Site Weather Stations
Perry Weather
On-site weather stations offer accurate, real-time WBGT readings, along with other weather parameters like wind speed, wind chill, lightning data, precipitation, and more.
Weather stations are the ideal option for continuous, real-time monitoring.
Perry Weather includes on-site weather stations for schools to meet the WBGT monitoring requirements in the United States. Perry Weather stations offer:
| Pros | Cons |
| Real-Time Weather Data: Continuous monitoring for real-time data and instant decision-making. | Higher cost of entry compared to general-purpose weather monitoring devices. |
| Automated Alerts: Instant alerts for heat stress, lightning, precipitation, wind chill, and more via text, web dashboard, and outdoor warning system so that everyone stays on the same page. | |
| Customizable Warnings: Custom warnings based on your policy thresholds that trigger whenever there is a policy risk. | |
| Precise Readings: Accurate automated WBGT readings eliminate the risk of human error and manual effort. | |
| On-Site Data: Precise, accurate, hyperlocal data in real-time | |
| Historical Log: Historical data log to analyze WBGT trends for informed planning. |
With Perry Weather, schools in Iowa can comply with the new IHSAA heat stress mandate and keep student-athletes safe.
Conclusion
In a significant step forward in safeguarding student athletes, the latest IHSAA heat stress mandate, therefore, prioritizes safety during practices and outdoor activities. By diligently monitoring WBGT levels and implementing heat safety protocols, schools in Iowa can reduce the risk of heat-related illnesses. Investing in tools like Perry Weather is a proactive step towards ensuring a safe playing environment for student-athletes.
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