England players will face a significant physiological challenge when they take on Mexico at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City on Monday, as the high altitude will reduce oxygen availability by nearly a quarter, according to a leading physiologist.
Altitude's Impact on Performance
Professor Mike Tipton of the Extreme Environments Laboratory at the University of Portsmouth explained that the atmospheric pressure at the Azteca is 23% lower than at sea level, meaning players will inhale roughly 23% fewer oxygen molecules with each breath. This forces the heart to beat faster to compensate for the reduced oxygen supply in the blood, leading to decreased aerobic efficiency.
Prof Tipton told the Mirror: “This means heart and breathing rates are increased to try and make up for the lack of oxygen. Despite this, aerobic activity and performance are reduced by about 10% and recovery time and fatigue levels are increased by about 15% as the body relies more on anaerobic, without oxygen, sources of energy which are much more time limited. Complex cognitive performance can also decrease.”
Strategic Adjustments Required
The physiologist emphasised that England must adapt their game plan to cope with the conditions. “This all requires changes in game strategy and behaviour, including more substitutions and a slower-paced game,” Prof Tipton added. At high altitude, the maximum amount of oxygen the body can use drops, making sustained efforts feel much harder. This is because the pressure of oxygen in the lungs is low, affecting the efficiency of transfer between the alveoli and the blood, as well as between the blood and tissues.
Mexico's Home Advantage
The Azteca sits at 7,220 feet above sea level, a factor that has contributed to Mexico's formidable home record. They have won 70 of 89 competitive matches at the stadium, losing only two. In this tournament, Mexico has beaten South Africa, South Korea, the Czech Republic, and Ecuador without conceding a goal. Their players are acclimatised to the altitude, giving them a significant advantage over visiting teams.
Other Effects of High Altitude
Prof Tipton also noted that the thinner atmosphere affects ball movement and sprinting. “The 'thinner' atmosphere means the ball travels further and those not used to this may over-hit passes but can shoot from further out. Although players can in theory sprint faster, they need longer to recover between sprints.” He added that air temperature is cooler at altitude, but dehydration remains a potential problem. “In going to play in Mexico, the England team have replaced the physiological stressor of heat with that of altitude - both stressors challenge the physiology of the body and require alterations in strategy and behaviour in order to optimise performance.”
England face the World Cup co-hosts in the early hours of Monday morning, needing to overcome both a skilled opponent and the challenging environmental conditions.
