We have said it a million times but is it really true? After the Azteca shocker last night, it got me thinking-how big of an advantage is it? Is it more than Denver's Mile High? And after seeing that the heat index is 106 right now it really got me thinking. I have played in Mexico City and Denver (and trained in Sante Fe, which is higher than Denver) and can honestly say that what Ching said about DF is true-you feel it for the first 15 minutes of exercise and then your body acclimates. After discussing with my doctor (who's a marathoner), he said the breathing there is probably rougher due to pollution. I felt less problems in NM then I did in DF or Denver, despite it being much higher, but that was probably due to the air quality. But honestly, playing in Houston the past couple of years, I felt that the humidity was even rougher to play in and that helped me when I went to other places to play (especially CA). I found this quote from a lacrosse player at the Warrior 40 combine for seniors, which is in Denver. “I’ve noticed it’s not as humid as it is in Florida,” Lake Highland Prep (Orlando, Fla.) rising senior Devon Lewis said. “You don’t sweat as much out here as you do in Florida and I feel like I’m running better.” I know Rey said his cousin used to love training here for this reason. I have seen Dom say that it's not really an advantage since they have to play in it too. If it does give us an advantage-does it carry over into the playoffs when it's usually cooler? Thoughts?
I know from my own experiences (I have asthma) it seems like I can run forever in late fall to early spring. Late spring to early fall I hit a wall. I used to chock it up to being out of shape, but even a little dip in the heat and humidity has a positive affect on my runs. I think you can get used to the heat and it gives us an advantage over teams from more mild climates.
I guess I am wondering how much of it psychological. Like Nigel's locker room tunnel picture of that poster. How much of it is us thinking it's an advantage and the other guys thinking they are going to die from it and how much of it is physiological.
we're undefeated in game day temperatures over 90 degrees. whether its physical or psychological, i'll take it. if we could get ortiz to quit complaining about it, we'll all be better off.
Altitude gives a little advantage, not much. Real Potosi, from Potosi, Bolivia, one of the highest towns/cities in the World, plays at 13,500ft above sea level (2.5 miles high) Real Potosi has played Copa Libertadores 6 times and has been unable to get passed the group stage. Heat is a huge advantage, much more than altitude, just look at how many runners pass out in marathons due to heat
Just came back from a week and a half in Colorado at altitude. Played a couple of pick up games, did a lot of activity. Played a pickup game at Rice last night. Whatever I gained from exertion at altitude was easily offset by the return to the heat.
this I know something about-it generally takes anywhere from 7-20 days to start producing more red blood cells as a result of being at altitude and then once you get that your body will start to lose that amount in about the same amount of time that it took to produce them when you are back at a lower altitude. So if you live at altitude-then fly out for a weekend match and then back to high altitude you should be at an advantage since you have more red blood cells (more 02). But if you got traded from CO to NY, would lose that advantage pretty quickly, probably within two matches.