World Cup Science: How Does Altitude Affect Soccer?

[Narrator] Do you know how altitude affects soccer?

Today, we explain how altitude changes the game

in Science: Behind Soccer.

A clear example?

Mexico City,

which sits more than 7,200 feet above sea level.

And at that altitude, the air changes.

There's less oxygen available,

which reduces the aerobic capacity.

That causes players to tire more quickly

and take longer to recover.

Studies have even shown that teams

cover less distance and reduce their intensity

during matches played at high altitudes,

because the body needs time to adapt to these conditions.

But it doesn't only affect the players.

The ball behaves differently too.

With thinner air, there's less resistance,

so shots can travel faster and curve differently.

That's why playing at higher altitude isn't just soccer,

it's biology and physics happening at the same time.