Efficacy of the FIFA cooling break heat policy during an intermittent treadmill football simulation in hot conditions in trained females.

Summary: Playing soccer in extreme heat isn't just exhausting; it can be dangerous. FIFA has a "cooling break" policy designed to keep players safe, but does it actually work for everyone? A new study put trained female soccer players to the test in scorching 40°C (104°F) heat. The results were concerning: the current standard cooling breaks provided almost no relief for the players' bodies. However, researchers found a simple fix. When they combined the cooling breaks with a longer half-time rest, the players' heart rates and body temperatures dropped significantly. To keep female athletes safe in the heat, the rules may need to change to allow for longer rests.