Differences in WBGT ratings for tennis courts in natural thermometer and sensor-based methods

Abstract

WBGT is one of the indices used to measure the heat environment, but it has been pointed out that WBGT meters using humidity sensors, which are used in many sports fields, have errors in comparison with WBGT meters using natural wet bulb. However, it has not been verified on a surface-by-surface basis how the use of WBGT meters with different measurement methods affects the evaluation of the heat environment during sports. We examined the effects of different measurement methods on the evaluation of the heat environment on tennis surfaces where matches are played on various surfaces.The results of measurements over three months during the summer showed that while there was validity among the measurement methods for all surfaces, the sensor method underestimated the actual heat environment as the WBGT increased.Under the environment where Exercise prohibited (31 ℃≦ WBGT), the exercise guideline level was misclassified in more than half the data in the hard court.Under severe heat environment, In the case of the sensor method, it is necessary to implement aggressive measures against heat and to correct the wet-bulb temperatures in the case of the sensor method.