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Summary of Recommendations for Heat Safety on Artificial Turf Athletic Fields:


The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the following for children and adolescents
(note: does not refer specifically to young adults):

1. The intensity of activities that last 15 minutes or more should be reduced whenever
relative humidity, solar radiation, and air temperature are above critical levels. For
specific recommendations,see Table 1. One way of increasing rest periods on a hot day is
to substitute players frequently.

2. At the beginning of a strenuous exercise program or after traveling to a warmer climate,
the intensity and duration of exercise should be limited initially and then gradually
increased during a period of 10 to 14 days to accomplish acclimatization to the heat.
When such a period is not available, the length of time for participants during practice
and competition should be curtailed.

3. Before prolonged physical activity, the child should be well-hydrated. During the
activity, periodic drinking should be enforced (eg, each 20 minutes 150 mL [5 oz] of cold
tap water or a flavored salted beverage for a child weighing 40 kg (88 lbs) and 250 mL[9
oz] for an adolescent weighing 60 kg (132 lbs)), even if the child does not feel thirsty.
Weighing before and after a training session can verify hydration status if the child is
weighed wearing little or no clothing.

4. Clothing should be light-colored and lightweight and limited to one layer of absorbent
material to facilitate evaporation of sweat. Sweat-saturated garments should be replaced
by dry garments. Rubberized sweat suits should never be used to produce loss of weight
Because of the potential for high temperatures on infilled synthetic turf fields, it is important that
people who play or work on the fields be provided with adequate warnings regarding the potential
for heat stress. People should also be advised to remain hydrated and to seek relief from the heat in
shaded areas.

Excerpted from NY State Department of Health “Fact Sheet: Crumb-rubber Infilled Synthetic Turf
Athletic Fields” July 2008



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