Sport grapples with rising heat

By Gretelle Jimenez 

 

Summer is in full swing, and so is training season for some of the world's athletes. As temperatures soar, governments and sporting bodies are scrambling to protect sportsmen and women from the growing threat of extreme heat.

★ Looks good on paper

 

Germany's federal government announced its plans to better respond to the health impacts of heat waves in June, including a protection plan for organised sports. The comprehensive scheme details recommendations that cover facilities, events, as well as the athletes and personnel. Some clubs, however, are saying some of the measures are 'a big task.'

"That's an incredible amount of recommendations," said TSV Penzberg chairwoman, Michaela Schott, to Merkur newspaper. She further explains that the club cannot implement some of the points listed, such as energy-efficient renovations to the sports facilities or the installation of heat-reducing paints and flooring. "As a club, we don't have our own hall, so we can't take care of structural precautions."

Björn Bartnik of TSV Weilheim agreed. "We would love to insulate the halls, but that's not in our hands," says the club chairman. He finds the federal government's catalogue of measures "sensible and well-thought-out" per se – but it's clear that it was developed by a theorist. Some things are simply not feasible. For example, the suggestion to switch to another sports facility if one's own is too overheated. "We already have a shortage of training facilities," he said.

The club heads highlight that many of the measures have already been standard practice in their federations and are 'common sense' and part of the coach training. "But I think it's absolutely sensible that something like this exists. Heat protection will be a major challenge for all of us," said TSV Schongau's Peter Mahl. 

★ SUMMER SPORTS AT RISK?

 

Across the world, Japan is coming to terms that it may have to forego summer extracurricular activities. If the climate continues in its current trajectory, students in the 2060s or later may no longer be able to engage in extracurricular outdoor sports in summer in most parts of Japan, according to predictions by a research team.

According to The Guardian, organisers of school sports competitions are already taking action to protect young athletes, including rules halting or suspending games when temperatures soar, and rescheduling or relocating events to the cooler northern regions. Other measures include shorter match times, regular drinks breaks, shaded rest areas and even ice baths.

However, Yasufumi Miyake, the former head of Teikyo University Hospital's advanced emergency medical centre, has another take on the issue. "It's easy to cancel summertime outdoor athletic events, pool activities and physical education classes in favour of indoor sports in air-conditioned gymnasiums. But you can't build a strong body that can adapt to heat that way. And that kind of defeats the purpose of sports," he told the Japan Times. 

Miyake, who is well-acquainted with heat stroke, has suggested several steps organisers could take, such as setting up a heatstroke prevention committee a year in advance, creating a safety manual, getting educated on how to diagnose, treat, and prevent heat-related illness and collaborating with local fire departments and hospitals.

★ Preparation is key

 

After Japan's sweltering conditions for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, World Athletics adjusted its heat protocols for the Paris edition. The federation took proactive measures by training some of the medical staff through the World Academy for Endurance Medicine. 

Additionally, heat decks, where athletes can be immersed in ice water for 30 minutes until their body temperature drops, were implemented for all track and field events involving distances over 5,000 metres. The federation has also developed resources to help its athletes acclimatise to the heat, and it is furthering its studies on the effects and their prevention. 

Cycling teams are also addressing the rising temperatures. "Active heat training was one of the main things that we changed slightly in this preparation," explained Kristof de Kegel, sports scientist and Head of Performance at racing team Alpecin Deceuninck, to DW during the Tour de France 2025.

Multiple Tour de France winner Tadej Pogacar's coaches also swear by the extra kick provided by heat stimulation. "We supplement the altitude training with heat training," said Jeroen Swart, sports scientist at UAE Emirates XRG, told DW. 

They revealed that their aim is to raise the body's core temperature to 38.5 degrees Celsius (101,3 degrees Fahrenheit), a slightly feverish state. Austria's Felix Gall told DW that it can also be done passively. "Then you go to the sauna or take a warm bath after training. With active heat training, you put on a lot of clothes during the last climb in altitude training camp or get the exercise bike."

 

ITG