Revealed: Why the NRL has ordered teams to take footy stars’ temperatures with RECTAL thermometers
- NRL has introduced new heat control measures for training
- Male player Keith Titmuss died of heatstroke in 2020
The NRL has introduced new guidelines around player safety during pre-season, including taking football players’ temperatures with rectal thermometers if they show signs of discomfort in the heat.
As NRL teams prepare for the 2025 season and return to the training paddock to get going, the NRL has introduced new heat control measures.
In 2020, Manly Sea Eagles stars Keith Titmuss immediately lost consciousness after a 139-minute workout at the team’s headquarters on Sydney’s northern beaches.
It was ruled that the 20-year-old died of exertional heat stroke (EHS) after an inappropriately difficult workout.
EHS can occur when a player is overexerted while training in hot weather, causing their internal or core temperature to rise to dangerous levels.
This can cause hyperventilation, vomiting, fainting, seizures and in some cases death.
In the United States, EHS is one of the three leading causes of death in athletes during physical activity.
On Thursday, respected physiotherapist Brien Seeney – who runs the popular NRL Physio Twitter account – posted about the NRL’s new measures around heat checks.
The NRL has introduced new guidelines around player safety during pre-season training
Seeney wrote: ‘The NRL has introduced new heat control measures for pre-season training in 2024/25:
– Heat tests should be performed before each training session
– mandatory cooling breaks in the shade
– ice towels, misting fans and extra drinks available where possible
– Player moved to shade and rectal temperature taken if ‘looking worse for wear’
– ice baths recommended method for cooling – can also place the player on a tarpaulin, hold the corners and pour cold water/crushed ice on the player.’
Experts from the respected US medical center Mayo Clinic say that ‘rectal temperature is the most accurate way to determine core body temperature and is more accurate than mouth or forehead temperatures’.
The NRL reportedly made inquiries last week about its concerns about new Broncos coach Michael Maguire’s tough training sessions in the oppressive Brisbane heat.
The NRL is taking steps to protect players who have to endure tough preseason training on hot days (Photo: Latrell Mitchell at Souths training this month)
The Broncos have dismissed NRL concerns about new coach Michael Maguire’s grueling start to pre-season (pictured, Brisbane star Payne Haas in training this month)
A notoriously tough coach, Maguire has his players training in the middle of the day as he tries to improve results at Red Hill.
Recently we saw players sweating with emetic buckets nearby, but according to the club there is nothing to worry about.
“All of our employees are well aware of the new pre-season guidelines,” said Broncos CEO Dave Donaghy News Corp.
“In fact, our staff provided additional training beyond NRL requirements to ensure our players would be well looked after in pre-season given the climate in Brisbane. We are also fortunate to have (former NRL elite performance manager) Troy Thomson on our staff.
“We test our players in preparation, but we also respect the rules and give their safety the highest priority.”