Abstract:
Extreme heat is a recognized threat to human health. This study examines projected future trends of multiple measures of extreme heat across Texas throughout the next century, and evaluates the expected climate changes alongside Texas athletic staff (coach and athletic trainer) attitudes toward heat and climate change. Numerical climate simulations from the recently published Community Earth System Model version 2 and the Climate Model Intercomparison Project were used to predict changes in summer temperatures, heat indices, and wet bulb temperatures across Texas and also within specific metropolitan areas. A survey examining attitudes toward the effects of climate change on athletic programs and student athlete health was also distributed to high-school and university athletic staff. Heat indices are projected to increase beyond what is considered healthy/safe limits for outdoor sports activity by the mid-to-late 21st century. Survey results reveal a general understanding and acceptance of climate change and a need for adjustments in accordance with more dangerous heat-related events. However, a portion of athletic staff still do not acknowledge the changing climate and its implications for student athlete health and their athletic programs. Enhancing climate change and health communication across the state may initiate important changes to athletic programs (e.g., timing, duration, intensity, and location of practices), which should be made in accordance with increasingly dangerous temperatures and weather conditions. This work employs a novel interdisciplinary approach to evaluate future heat projections alongside attitudes from athletic communities toward climate change.
摘要:
极端高温是公认的对人类健康的威胁。这项研究调查了整个下个世纪德克萨斯州极端高温的多种措施的未来趋势。并评估德克萨斯州体育工作人员(教练和运动教练)对高温和气候变化的态度的预期气候变化。最近发布的社区地球系统模型版本2和气候模型比较项目的数值气候模拟用于预测夏季温度的变化,热指数,德克萨斯州和特定大都市地区的湿球温度。还向高中和大学体育工作人员分发了一项调查,调查了人们对气候变化对体育项目和学生运动员健康影响的态度。预计到21世纪中后期,热量指数将增加到超过户外运动活动的健康/安全极限。调查结果揭示了对气候变化的普遍理解和接受,并需要根据与热有关的更危险事件进行调整。然而,一部分体育工作人员仍然不承认气候变化及其对学生运动员健康和他们的运动项目的影响。加强全州的气候变化和健康沟通可能会引发运动项目的重要变化(例如,定时,持续时间,强度,和实践的位置),这应该是根据日益危险的温度和天气条件。这项工作采用了一种新颖的跨学科方法来评估未来的热量预测以及运动社区对气候变化的态度。