LONGVIEW, Texas (KLTV) – Moving into the traditional “hottest” part of the East Texas summer, spending any time in the heat can be risky, especially when it comes to physical exertion for sports activities.

The blistering heat of East Texas summer is here.

Heat danger has some teams preparing for the upcoming football season, including those at high schools, to schedule practices in the mornings or late evening to avoid the hottest part of the day.

“Pretty tough. You get tired real quick. Need water. And, everybody needs a break,” said one Lear Park soccer player.

With temperatures already in the upper 90s, the heat index at field level can elevate the temperature to well over 100 degrees. Some use the “WBGT,” or “Wet Bulb Globe Temperature,” to monitor conditions during outdoor physical activities.

It estimates the effect of temperature, relative humidity, wind speed and solar radiation using a combination of temperatures from three thermometers. It also recommends, for all sports during 90-plus degree temperatures, 20 minutes of break time for every hour of practice or play time.

“Sometimes you get into a rythym and don’t even think about getting a drink of water. And, before you know it, you start cramping up,” said one Lear Park baseball player.

“Got some Powerade. That helps,” another player said.

Sports medicine experts say with a heat index of 90°f-103°f, a person can soon experience heat stroke, heat cramps or heat exhaustion. In the body, internal temperatures can rise above 104 degrees, the widely-recognized threshold for heat.

Frequent hydration is critical for anyone playing an outdoor sport,

“I always make sure I’m hydrated. I have two children. I make sure they’re hydrated, and I always have water on hand,” said one baseball mom.

Reducing or limiting playing time, such as with timed breaks, can also help stem the tide of heat exposure.

In 2023, the UIL approved “Wet Bulb Globe Temperature,” as the recommended forecast measurement to be used to monitor conditions during outdoor physical activities.

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