Effect of Heat on Outdoor Recess in Arizona Elementary Schools, July-September 2023

School recess is an important setting to support children's health; however, inclement weather, including extreme heat, affects the provision of recess. We conducted a cross-sectional study to determine the number of days that recess in elementary schools was disrupted because of heat in the first quarter of the 2023-2024 school year. We obtained data by conducting a survey among teachers representing 61 elementary schools in Maricopa County, Arizona. Daily high temperatures during this time ranged from 90°F (32.2°C) to 119°F (48.3°C). Almost all schools (93%) modified traditional outdoor recess because of heat. Across schools, recess disruption averaged 3.5 weeks. Almost half of the schools (49%) reported 4 to 6 weeks of disrupted recess, comprising 44% to 67% of the first quarter of the school year or up to 16% of the entire school year. Although state policies mandating daily school recess exist, they generally do not address the provision of recess during inclement weather, including heat. Given the health benefits of recess for children, minimizing heat exposure in schoolyards and supporting indoor recess during times of extreme heat should be prioritized.