AUTHOR=Leer Sophie , Parsons Zoe A. , Schneider Sven 

TITLE=Gaps in Heat-Related Knowledge, Practices and Adaptation Strategies Among Coaches in German Outdoor Sports

JOURNAL=International Journal of Public Health

VOLUME=Volume 69 - 2024

YEAR=2024

URL=https://www.ssph-journal.org/journals/international-journal-of-public-health/articles/10.3389/ijph.2024.1607928

DOI=10.3389/ijph.2024.1607928

ISSN=1661-8564

ABSTRACT=Objectives: Climate change is increasing the risk of heat-related illness in outdoor sports. Coaches have a responsibility to protect the athletes in their care. In this study, the knowledge and practice of German coaches in heat prevention were evaluated nationwide.
Methods: Coaches (n=1,200) from the ten largest outdoor sports in Germany were asked about their knowledge using the knowledge of heat-related illness symptoms index (KOSI, range [0-14]). Preven-tion measures currently implemented by coaches were analyzed in terms of relative compliance with specified recommendations (heat prevention score (HPS), range [0-100]).
Results: The KOSI averaged 10.31+/-1.81 and pointed to clear knowledge deficits: the lowest score values were shown by coaches in skiing (9.85+/-1.80), soccer (10.07+/-2.33) and golf (10.09+/-1.75; pANOVA=0.015). Heat protection in training was also deficient: The HPS showed a mean value of 62.41+/-14.89. The greatest deficits existed in tennis (57.71+/-14.29), mountain sports (58.17+/-13.08) and soccer (58.70+/-13.86; pANOVA<0.001). No correlation between theoretical knowledge and practi-cal prevention was found.
Conclusions: In Germany, coaches are insufficiently prepared for the health hazards of heat. Pro-moting onsite educational programs seems essential to ensure safer sports environments.