DMSB’s heat protection plan provides practical guidance for the sport

Even during the IDM era, there have been some scorching races in recent years. But whatever your views on climate change, everyone has to admit that the Euro Moto weekend at Most – with daytime temperatures of 40 degrees, tropical nights well over 20 degrees and an asphalt temperature of 70 degrees on race Sunday – topped everything we’ve seen so far. Even seasoned riders, who have previously competed in races in Asia and central Spain, readily admitted that they had never experienced anything quite like Most before. And this is unlikely to be the last heatwave to hit us.

The German Motor Sport Federation (DMSB), in collaboration with the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB), has now published a model heat protection plan. The aim is to support clubs, federations and organisers in better preparing sporting activities and events for high temperatures and in protecting the health of all those involved.

Health is the top priority

The plan is aimed not only at athletes, but also explicitly at coaches, sports officials, volunteers and spectators. It contains accessible recommendations for preparatory, short-term and long-term measures and is designed as a dynamic tool that can be adapted to regional conditions and different sports. Key measures include, amongst other things, sufficient drinking facilities, shade and cooling facilities, adjusted training times, and organisational precautions for heatwaves. The plan thus complements the Federal Ministry of Health’s heat protection plan and helps ensure that people remain able to function even in high temperatures.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), people who participate in sport are among the risk groups most affected by climate-related health risks. Every federation and every club will face the impacts of climate change in future. For sport, more frequent, longer and more intense heatwaves are among the most significant impacts of climate change. This model heat protection plan is intended for clubs and federations. It is designed to help them protect athletes, full-time staff and volunteers, officials and support staff, as well as spectators, from heat-related health risks. According to the DOSB plan, to ensure the widest possible effectiveness, it is important that inclusion and accessibility are taken into account when implementing all measures.

The model heat protection plan is based on a recommendation published by the German Alliance on Climate Change and Health (KLUG) e.V. in collaboration with the Mannheim Medical Faculty of Heidelberg University, the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) and other stakeholders. The plan is constantly updated in line with the latest findings. However, the measures are not exhaustive and should be reviewed regularly and adapted as necessary.

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Examples from the current heat protection plan

People who take part in sport are among the risk groups particularly affected by climate-related health risks.

World Health Organisation

Neither the heat protection plan nor the DMSB makes any mention of the associated costs. There is also fundamental discussion about restructuring training and competition schedules. This includes, amongst other things, extending the summer break and thereby shortening the winter break, or shifting start times to the morning or evening hours.

Sooner or later, promoters, organisers and circuit operators will have to give this some serious thought. Most was just a foretaste of what may yet lie ahead. A little preparation can therefore do no harm.