How climate change is affecting youth sports

Youth football players and women’s cross country athletes are most at risk of being affected by elevated heat levels, which can result in a heat stroke and arrhythmia. (Credit: Unsplash/Ben Hersey) By Mekhi AbbottAFRO Internmabbott@afro.com With rising temperatures and a heat wave hitting the D.C.-Maryland area youth athletes in the area are feeling the effects of the rising temperatures.& On June 8, Mayor Muriel Bowser announced an extended heat emergency amidst a heat wave that has been plaguing the D.C.-Maryland area for the past few weeks. With temperatures over 90 degrees on most days of the past three weeks and heat indexes over 100 degrees, both Mayor Bowser and Gov. Wes Moore have advised D.C. and Maryland residents to plan for the historic heat wave appropriately.& “The health and safety of Marylanders is our top priority. By declaring a State of Preparedness, I am directing the Department of Emergency Management to coordinate the comprehensive preparation of State government ahead of potential impacts because of the extreme heat and humidity,” said Moore in a press release.& According to a study released by Associate Athletics Director David Klossner at the University of Maryland, the director of National Center for Catastrophic Sport Injury...