What are the four heat risk levels and what does each recommend?
Guideline- Australia
- Sports Medicine Australia
- Extreme heat
- Sports Heat Tool
- All ages
- 2025
- Coaches
The Sports Heat Tool shows a four-point scale. The SMA guidelines list one key recommendation against each level:
| Risk level | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Low | Increase hydration and modify clothing |
| Moderate | Increase the frequency and/or duration of rest breaks |
| High | Apply active cooling strategies |
| Extreme | Consider suspending play |
The guidelines say that once a risk threshold is reached, a simple colour coding system recommends evidence-based actions to reduce heat-health risk. The assessment accounts for air temperature, humidity, thermal radiation from the sun, wind, the intensity of the activity and clothing requirements.
Updated 24 Oct 2026