When One Size Doesn’t Fit All: Regional Adaptation of WBGT Monitoring for School Athletics

Abstract:
Despite growing awareness of exertional heat illness (EHI) risks, state-level adoption and implementation of Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) policies for high school athletics remain inconsistent. While organizations like CIF (California), GHSAA (Georgia), and VHSL (Virginia) have rolled out mandates, variations in climate, resource availability, and enforcement have led to differing outcomes. This review explores the clinical and operational impact of WBGT policy adoption, highlights disparities in execution—especially in geographies with significant microclimate variability—and identifies best practices to guide future state-level implementations.

Learning Objectives:

• Evaluate policies and procedures to determine the effectiveness of heat safety interventions.
• Apply evidence-based guidelines to develop or modify environmental monitoring protocols for secondary school settings.
• Analyze the practicality and feasibility of implementing heat safety protocols in diverse environmental and institutional settings.

Level:
Essential

Domain(s):
Domain 1: Risk Reduction Wellness and Health Literacy 
Domain 2: Assessment Evaluation and Diagnosis

Orthopedic Domain(s):
N/A

Keywords:
wbgt; ehi; activity guidelines

CEUs:
1.0 Category A

A Statement of Credit reflecting your CEUs will be issued immediately upon the successful completion of all course components.

Course Expiration: 
All sessions of the NATA 77th Symposia On-Demand must be completed by December 31, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. CST.
For full details, refer to the expiration policy on our FAQ page.