Children's recess activity in extreme heat highlights need for adult-guided safety measures

AI Summary

A survey of elementary students in the Phoenix metropolitan area found that many felt very hot after recess during a period with average maximum temperatures of 97°F. Higher perceived heat was associated with more intense physical activity, highlighting the need for adult-guided safety measures during extreme heat.

In a survey of 170 elementary students in the Phoenix, Arizona, metropolitan area over August–September 2024 (the average maximum temperature during this period was 97°F; 36.1°C), students reported feeling "a lot hot" directly after recess in 45% of surveys—and higher perceived heat was associated with greater physical activity intensity, according to a study published in PLOS Global Public Health by Kylie Wilson from the University of Arizona Cancer Center, United States, and colleagues.