Kinesiology

How hot is too hot? Guidelines could protect athletes from heat injury

Four football players in helmetsThe heavy gear required for football may put athletes at particular risk when training in extreme heat (JASON JONES/University of Windsor)

By Kate Hargreaves

How hot is too hot to exercise safely?  

For Canadian varsity coaches, athletes and even youth sports organizations, getting a clear answer to that question is surprisingly difficult. 

With extreme heat blanketing southern Ontario in recent weeks, UWindsor Kinesiology professors Dr. Anthony Bain and Dr. Andrew Perrotta sought out heat training guidelines governing Canadian varsity sports. 

“I was shocked that we had nothing,” says Bain. 

High school students earn hands-on certifications at UWindsor's Faculty of Human Kinetics

Three high school girls using a blood pressure cuffHigh school students from three local school boards learned hands-on skills at the inaugural SHSM conferences this April (ADRIANA DUQUETTE/University of Windsor)

By Kate Hargreaves 

High school students had the chance to level up their skills this April as the University of Windsor's Faculty of Human Kinetics hosted three inaugural conferences for the Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) program. 

SHSM is an Ontario-wide program that allows students to graduate with skills, knowledge and certifications relevant to one of 19 industry sectors.