Although some sports experts have objected to the mandatory three-minute water breaks given in each half of the games, implemented for the first time in the history of the World Football Championships, scientists have a different opinion. They believe that such breaks should not only be made in hot weather but the duration of the breaks should even be increased.
Medianews.az reports that according to scientists, even the most professional athlete can face serious problems in hot and humid weather. Because intense physical exertion already generates heat in the body. Moreover, the heat of the air puts a heavy burden on the heart, muscles, nervous system, and brain. Scientists state that when the body temperature exceeds 40.5 degrees, a person may lose consciousness, become aggressive, and lose the ability to make decisions. Professor Yuri Hosokawa from Waseda University in Japan notes that these are the main symptoms of heat stroke requiring urgent medical intervention.
Hosokawa and a group of scientists appealed to FIFA in May, proposing that to more reliably ensure the safety of players, water breaks should be at least six minutes long.
According to experts' calculations, football players can lose 1-2 liters of fluid per hour in hot weather. A reduction of only 2 percent in body weight due to dehydration leads to a serious decline in physical performance.
Professor Ryan Kalsbeek of Dartmouth College in the United States notes that the human body can perform well in warm conditions up to a certain limit. However, after surpassing this critical point, physical capabilities decline rapidly. According to him, excessive heat negatively affects players' tactical decision-making abilities.
Although scientists say that three-minute breaks are beneficial, they believe this is insufficient. Currently, during the three-minute breaks, players can consume fluids and apply cold, wet towels to their necks, heads, and arms. However, experts believe that longer breaks are necessary for effective cooling of the body and replenishment of lost fluids.
Douglas Casa, head of the Korey Stringer Institute at the University of Connecticut, USA, believes that extending breaks to five or six minutes could positively affect players' condition.
Bharat Venkat, director of the Heat Laboratory at the University of California, Los Angeles campus, states that against the background of global climate change, the timing, location, and rules of organizing sports competitions will need to be reconsidered in the future.
According to him, as the Earth continues to warm, all sports types will have to adapt to the new conditions.