Extreme Heat Guidelines
Extreme Heat Risk and Response Guidelines outlines practical strategies to reduce heat-related risk across more than 30 popular Australian sports — from football, cricket and tennis to rowing, cycling and athletics.
The guidelines are relevant to all Australians who are physically active, but they are particularly valuable for health professionals promoting physical activity, as well as coaches, fitness leaders and sports administrators.
They provides advice on:
- Using the Sports Heat Tool assess heat stress risk.
- Recommended actions for Low, Moderate, High and Extreme risk conditions
- Hydration, rest breaks and clothing modification
- Recognising and managing signs of heat-related illness
Click to view the EXTREME HEAT POLICY
Staying safe in the heat
Everyone involved in sport has a role to play in keeping participants safe. Simple actions can make a big difference:
- Stay hydrated before, during and after activity
- Wear lightweight, breathable clothing
- Take frequent rest breaks and seek shade
- Use cooling methods such as ice towels or misting fans
- Delay or cancel play if conditions reach Extreme risk levels
Recognising heat-related illness
Exercising in hot conditions can quickly lead to serious heat illness. If someone collapses, appears confused, or shows signs of dizziness, nausea or loss of coordination, stop activity immediately, move them to a cool or shaded area, and begin active cooling.
Any collapse in hot conditions should be treated as potential heat stroke. Call an ambulance immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
These FAQ answers common questions about heat risk in sport and how to use the Extreme Heat Guidelines and Heat Tool in real-world settings.
Can forehead or laser thermometers accurately measure core body temperature?
No. Handheld forehead or laser thermometers measure skin temperature, not core body temperature. Skin temperature is heavily influenced by external factors such as air temperature, sun exposure, shade and sweating. As a result, these devices do not provide a reliable indication of core temperature and are not useful for assessing heat illness risk during sport
Starting an event dehydrated increases the risk of heat-related illness. Athletes should ensure adequate fluid intake in the days leading up to an event, following general daily hydration recommendations.
On the day, water should be readily available during activity, and athletes should also prioritise rehydration after exercise. While hydration is important, it should be combined with other heat mitigation strategies.
You can view the daily hydration recommendations HERE
The current Heat Tool and Guidelines are primarily designed for adult community sport, but they can still be applied in junior sport settings with appropriate caution.
Evidence suggests that children aged approximately 10 to 16 years are not at greater physiological risk of heat illness than adults. However, children may respond differently to heat stress behaviourally, for example by not recognising warning signs or failing to modify activity or seek cooling.
When using the Heat Tool for children’s sport, organisers should err on the side of caution. Future updates are expected to include minor adjustments for junior sport, largely based on behavioural rather than physiological factors.
Yes. Heat illness is influenced by more than just air temperature. Activity intensity, duration, clothing, humidity and airflow all play an important role.
Even in moderate temperatures, athletes working at high intensity for prolonged periods, particularly in enclosed or poorly ventilated environments, can be at risk. Heat risk management should therefore be considered as part of routine best practice, not only during heatwaves.
While temperature often receives the most attention, humidity is particularly important because it affects the body’s ability to cool itself through sweat evaporation. High humidity can significantly increase heat stress risk, even when temperatures are lower.
Yes. Older adults, particularly those over 65, are at increased risk due to reduced sweating capacity and a higher likelihood of underlying health conditions such as cardiovascular disease or diabetes.
A common misconception is that air temperature alone determines heat risk. In reality, humidity, activity intensity, clothing and individual factors are equally important.
Another myth is that hydration alone is sufficient to prevent heat illness. While important, hydration must be combined with sensible activity modification, rest, shade, cooling strategies and appropriate decision-making.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
These guidelines have been developed with the support of The University of Sydney Heat and Health Research Centre.
Sports Medicine Australia (SMA) would like to acknowledge the following people for their work in developing these resources:
Prof Ollie Jay
Professor of Heat and Health, Heat and Health Research Centre,
The University of Sydney
Dr James Smallcombe
Senior Post-doctoral Fellow, Heat and Health Research Centre.
The University of Sydney
Dr Federico Tartarini
Senior Lecturer, Heat and Health Research Centre.
The University of Sydney
Dr Carolyn Broderick
Associate Professor, Heat and Health Research Centre,
The University of Sydney
Chief Medical Officer, Tennis Australia
Disclaimer The information in these guidelines is general. Reading or using these guidelines is not the same as getting medical advice from your doctor or health professional.
All reasonable attempts have been made to ensure the information is accurate. However, SMA is not responsible for any loss, injury, claim or damage that may result from using or applying the information in these guidelines.
This information should be considered and interpreted in the context of other risk management, insurance, governance and compliance frameworks and obligations relevant to sporting organisations.