Schools in the UK are closing as temperatures soar. If you’re a parent, you might be wondering what effect the heat has on your child. If they’re at school, will they be able to learn properly? If they’re at home, should they be playing or attending their normal clubs? How can you help keep them cool?

Understanding how high temperatures not only influence physical health, but also thinking and learning is critical.

Our research group investigates how heat influences the body and brain, and how targeted interventions can improve performance and safety. We research how heat affects cognitive and exercise performance as well as mitigation strategies to improve cognitive and exercise performance in the heat, and how exercise influences young people’s learning.

You have probably noticed that, on very hot days, it is harder to concentrate and stay motivated.

The heat can slow our ability to process information, make quick and........

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