Heat safety management in US high school sports

National health and sports organizations have issued guidance to mitigate heat-related illnesses for student-athletes as fall sports seasons approach. The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) advised schools to adjust outdoor sessions based on heat indices, ensure hydration, and implement emergency action plans. In Mississippi, the State Department of Health recommended pre-participation physicals and strict concussion protocols alongside heat safety measures.

As preseason preparations continue in Mississippi, high school football teams are navigating extreme heat and humidity. Coaches are monitoring wet-bulb temperatures to comply with Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) rules, which require canceling or moving outdoor activities indoors when readings reach 92 degrees. To manage these restrictions, some teams have rescheduled practices to nighttime, though coaches have noted logistical difficulties and limited time for full-contact drills before the regular season begins.