OU researcher joins Pedal for Paris to discuss effects of heat on sport

An OU researcher took part in the Lewes Football Club leg of Pedal for Paris to advise on the effects of extreme heat and climate change on sport.

On Sunday 21 July, Dr Leslie Mabon, Lecturer in Environmental Systems in the OU’s Faculty of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, joined Sport England Chair, Chris Boardman, who is cycling from Manchester to Paris from 16-23 July 2024 to shine a light on some of the best climate innovators in the sport and physical activity sector.

Dr Mabon’s research focuses on how people respond to changes in the environments they live in, especially in coastal and urban areas.

One of his areas of interest is how climate change will affect football, and on how football clubs can help society to organise to cope with its effects. He published an evidence review on football and climate change in Climate Policy journal in 2022, which was the journal's most-read paper in the 12 months with over 8,000 readers. Outside of work, he is a big fan of Raith Rovers, and enjoys following the team round Scotland by public transport and bicycle when he can.

Quoted in The Times on Monday 22 July 2024, in the opinion piece by Chris Boardman: It’s getting too hot for a summer Olympics, says cycling champion, Dr Mabon said that heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke are all risks for competitors.

He also said:

“Performing sport naturally raises the body’s core temperature but in a hotter environment there’s less ability to transfer the body’s warmth out, putting a strain on the heart. High temperatures also decrease performance.”

Commenting further on the risks faced and root causes of vulnerability to climate change, he adds:

"There is growing awareness of the risks that athletes face from temperature extremes. However, as climate change accelerates and temperature records are broken, there is a risk that athletes will face temperatures exceeding what they have prepared for. There are limits to how far we can adapt events like the Olympics.

"Outside of elite competitions like the Olympics, sport is also vital for supporting wellbeing and for bringing communities together. The work that organisations like Lewes Football Club are doing on issues such as gender equality and community gardening go a long way to tackling the root causes of vulnerability to climate change."

Dr Mabon’s research into the effects of heat on people and on community green spaces including sports fields/community sports clubs, is one of the OU’s Open Societal Challenges.