Table 2.
Examples of recommended actions by various sporting governing bodies based on the Wet-Bulb Globe Temperature index
| WBGT (oC) | Organization | Athlete concerned | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 32.3 | ACSM | Acclimatized, fit, and low-risk individuals | Participation cut-off |
| 32.2 | ITF | Junior and wheelchair tennis players | Immediate suspension of play |
| 32.2 | WTA | Female tennis players | Immediate suspension of play |
| 32.0 | FIFA | Football players | Additional cooling break at 30 and 75 min |
| 30.1 | ACSM | Non-acclimatized, unfit, and high-risk individuals | Participation cut-off |
| 30.1 | ITF–WTA | Junior and female tennis players | 10-min break between 2nd and 3rd set |
| 30.1 | ITF | Wheelchair tennis players | Suspension of play at the end of the set in progress |
| 28.0 | ITF | Wheelchair tennis players | 15-min break between 2nd and 3rd set |
| 28.0 | Australian Open | Tennis players | 10-min break between 2nd and 3rd set |
| 21.0 | Marathon in northern latitudes | Runners in mass participation events | Cancel marathon |
Data from ACSM [183], Roberts [192], and from the following websites: http://www.fifa.com/aboutfifa/footballdevelopment/medical/playershealth/risks/heat.html, http://www.itftennis.com/media/194281/194281.pdf, http://www.itftennis.com/media/195690/195690.pdf, http://www.wtatennis.com/SEWTATour-Archive/Archive/AboutTheTour/rules2015.pdf, and http://www.ausopen.com/en_AU/event_guide/a_z_guide.html
ACSM American College of Sports Medicine, FIFA Fédération Internationale de Football Association, ITF International Tennis Federation, WBGT Wet Bulb Globe Temperature, WTA Women’s Tennis Association