See the Brazilian team's strategies to beat the heat in the round of 16

Increasing hydration and reinforcing skin care are among the guidelines given by the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) to Brazilian National Team players to face the scorching temperatures in the round of 16 of the World Cup.

The thermal sensation could reach 39°C at Metlife Stadium, in New Jersey, during Sunday's match (5) against Norway, according to AccuWeather, one of the main weather forecasting companies in the United States.

The CBF informed CNN that it will not adopt new measures specifically aimed at Sunday's duel, which will be at 4 pm local time (5 pm Brasília time), but will maintain the procedures that are normally applied in games under high temperatures.

Ice vests and wet towels
Among the actions to mitigate the impacts of heat are the provision, during game breaks, of "ice vests", vests with ice pockets to cool the chest, and wet towels for the back of the neck and head. These are simple and common procedures, which are usually adopted in situations of extreme heat, highlights the CBF.

There was also an increase in care with athletes' hydration and nutrition, with strategies developed by nutritionist Andreia Picanço.

In March, players underwent sweat tests to identify which players had a greater loss of mineral salts during games and received personalized hydration guidance. The measure was coordinated in partnership with Gatorade, which sponsors the Brazilian team.

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The team's training schedule must be maintained
The CBF states that all the procedures mentioned had already been planned before the World Cup, since the intense heat conditions were already expected.

The confederation adds, however, that high temperatures require constant observation and adaptation to the situation, from guidelines for the greater need for hydration to care for the effects of the sun on the skin.

For now, there is no expected change in the team's training schedule, which has been taking place in the morning, at 11am local time (noon in Brasília). Sunday's game will start at 4pm New Jersey time, 5pm Brasília time.

Accustomed to heat
Common sense might suggest that Brazilian players, born in a tropical country, would be more adapted to heat than Norwegians, accustomed to Nordic temperatures.

But, in practice, most of the athletes from both teams play for European clubs and follow similar physical preparation and hydration protocols. Many of them play in England, Spain and Italy, countries that frequently experience heat waves.

Norway has been carrying out daily urine tests on its players to assess their hydration level, full-back David Moller told broadcaster NRK.

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Source: CNN