A new research from the University of Georgia discovered a mobile application created to evaluate heat-related hazards often indicated temperatures that were lower than those obtained through direct site assessments.
The application also downplayed the importance of altering activities, such as shortened practice durations, relocating physical exercises indoors, or more frequent hydration breaks. This could result in potential safety risks for athletes, students, and others exposed to elevated temperatures.
“Heat is the foremost weather-related killer in the U.S. and ranks among the top three causes of sudden fatalities in sports,” stated Andrew Grundstein, the chief author of the study and a professor in the UGA Franklin College of Arts and Sciences. “Robust environmental surveillance is crucial for shielding communities from the escalating threats posed by extreme heat.”
Smartphone app reliability varies
High temperatures present a considerable threat to laborers, athletes, and military personnel engaged in outdoor endeavors. To avert heat-related illnesses, athletic programs and educational institutions routinely monitor local weather conditions and adapt activity levels and rest intervals appropriately.
They typically depend on onsite assessments of wet bulb globe temperature, which considers factors such as air temperature, humidity, wind, and sunlight. Recently, mobile applications have also begun providing WBGT estimates.
“As more heat monitoring tools, like mobile applications, become accessible, it’s vital to evaluate their precision and efficacy so athletic trainers and other professionals can make educated choices,” Grundstein remarked. “The primary takeaway is that it is wise for those intending to use an application for heat safety to comprehend its accuracy and appropriateness for a specific area.”
The current study indicates that onsite WBGT assessments remain the most reliable method to protect susceptible populations — at least for the time being.
App indicated temperatures up to 4 degrees cooler in sweltering conditions
Over a two-month period, the research team collected data from 26 high schools spanning 11 U.S. states, recording WBGT on surfaces like artificial turf and natural grass.
The findings reveal that while the smartphone application’s estimates generally aligned with onsite measurements, the app frequently reported cooler temperatures by as much as 4 degrees. The app’s accuracy was particularly inconsistent when WBGT exceeded 90 degrees, making it less apt to suggest necessary adjustments in activities to ensure the safety of athletes, students, and other vulnerable individuals.
The investigation was published in Geo Health on March 25.
Co-authors of the study include Susan Yeargin, associate professor of Athletic Training, University of South Carolina; Lilly Cargile, UGA department of geography; Jordan Clark, Nicholas Distinguished Professor of Environmental Science, Duke University; Earl Cooper, UGA department of kinesiology; Rebecca Lopez, professor, Athletic Training Program, University of South Florida; Alicia Montalvo, clinical associate professor, College of Health Solutions, Arizona State University; Kevin Miller, professor and athletic trainer, Department of Health and Human Performance, Texas State University; Samantha Scarneo-Miller, assistant professor, School of Medicine, West Virginia University; and Rebecca Stearns, COO, Korey Stringer Institute, Department of Kinesiology, University of Connecticut.
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