ENGLAND are looking to end 60 years of World Cup hurt to clinch the title – and the pressure that goes with that hope can often weigh heavy.
But the Three Lions will also have to contend with another pressure ahead of their last 16 clash with early on Monday morning.
Harry Kane’s sensational double against DR Congo booked England’s trip to Mexico City’s Azteca Stadium Credit: Getty
The Azteca stadium, currently Mexico City Stadium for the World Cup, is officially known as Estadio Banorte for sponsorship reasons Credit: Jeff Rayner/Coleman-Rayner
‘s sensational double against booked ‘s trip to Mexico City’s Azteca Stadium – which is around 7,200ft above sea level.
“The altitude will be a big disadvantage because we cannot physically adapt to it,” said England’s manager .
“It just takes too much time. We have only three days in between these matches.
“It’s physically just not possible to adapt to the altitude.”
But, he added: “It’s a very exciting fixture. There will be lots of obstacles but this team will be ready whatever it takes.”
Research suggests that a moderate to high altitude of 7,200ft – roughly 2,195m – can lead to medical problems including breathing issues and acute mountain sickness.
This is because air is comprised of different molecules, with nitrogen (79.04 per cent) and oxygen (20.93 per cent) making up the majority of each breath we take.
“However, with altitude, the “partial pressure” of oxygen in this air – how many molecules of oxygen are in a given volume of air – changes,” Professor Brendan Scott, an associate professor of healthy ageing at Murdoch University in , tells The Conversation .
“At sea-level, the partial pressure of oxygen is 159 mmHg,” he adds.
By contrast, at roughly 7,200ft above sea level – like the Azteca Stadium – the partial pressure of oxygen is around 122 mmHg, research suggests.
At high altitudes, oxygen molecules are further apart because there is less pressure to “push” them together.
So what does this mean for your exactly? What does altitude really do to the body?
Within first five minutes
Thomas Tuchel fears England cannot adapt to the altitude in time for the game with Mexico Credit: Getty
According to Professor Scott, ventilation is increased “within seconds of exposure to altitude”.
This means “we start trying to breathe more, as the body responds to less oxygen in each breath, and attempts to increase oxygen uptake,” he adds.
“Despite this response, there’s still less oxygen throughout your circulatory system, meaning less oxygen reaches your muscles.
“This will obviously limit exercise performance.”
Next 15-60 minutes
Studies show that within the first hour your body may also respond with an increased heart rate to compensate for the altitude.
Mild fatigue, headaches while adjusting are also common symptoms while breathing rate is increased.
Your maximum aerobic capacity (VO₂ max) also drops.
This is the maximum amount of oxygen your body can utilize during intense exercise.
Players will notice they get winded much faster during physical exertion.
One 2019 study, published in Physiological Reports , also found that soon after people ascend to a high altitude, their blood plasma volume temporarily decreases.
It causes what is known medically as haemoconcentration.
This artificially boosts red blood cell density to improve oxygen carrying capacity, though you will likely feel mildly dehydrated.
Within first 2-4 hours
The Azteca sits over 2000m above sea level Credit: Getty
“Within the first few hours of altitude exposure, water loss also increases, which can result in dehydration,” Professor Scott says.
“Altitude can also increase your metabolism while suppressing your appetite, meaning you’ll have to eat more than you feel like to maintain a neutral balance.”
Studies also show the kidneys may compensate by being at a higher altitude by excreting bicarbonate which makes the bladder fill up quicker.
This means you may need to visit the loo more frequently than normal at sea level.
After 8 hours
After eight hours, the body is still likely adapting and you may still notice some increased shortness of breath and fatigue.
Studies also suggest you may notice some mild changes like altitude sickness.
Symptoms of altitude sickness usually start six to 10 hours after being at a high altitude.
Main symptoms include headaches, loss of appetite, feeling sick and tired, dizzy or exhausted.
Other hazards
Signs of sunburn include red or reddish skin that is hot to the touch Credit: Alamy
The higher the altitude, the higher the risk of sunburn due to the reduced blocking of ultraviolet by the thinner atmosphere.
The amount of ultraviolent A (UVA) increases approximately 9 per cent with every increase of altitude by 1,000 metres (3,300 ft), studies suggest.
Signs of that is hot to the touch or painful, general fatigue, and mild dizziness.
Other symptoms include blistering, peeling skin, swelling, itching, and nausea.
England will only be arriving in Mexico City two days before the match Credit: Reuters
How long does it take to adapt to altitude?
Research suggests athletes competing at high altitude should spend a week or two living at that level in order to allow their body to acclimatise and generate more red blood cells.
But England will only be arriving in Mexico City two days before the match.
Mexico, meanwhile, have played at high altitude, with three matches at the Azteca Stadium and the other in Guadalajara – which is around 5,000ft above sea level.
Despite the disadvantage, manager Tuchel is adamant the England squad “are ready”.
He added that England had been adapting to the climate since arriving to the United States for their pre-tournament camp in Florida.
“We came very early to the country, we came very early to the U.S., and banked good heat training into our bodies,” the 52-year-old said.
“That was basically the idea behind, to acclimatise, so the players have a lot, a lot of heat training already in their bodies.
“That would help them, so I think the heat and the humidity will not be the problem for us. We are used to that.
“We are used to that from training times, and we are used to it from our prep camp in Florida.”
The winner between Mexico and England will take on either or in the quarterfinals.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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