Footballers must face heights of final

9 July 2010

University researchers suggest that, with the final taking place at 1,753 metres above sea level, players will have to adapt to oxygen levels in the atmosphere almost 20 per cent less than at sea level.

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There is 18 per cent less oxygen in every breath in Johannesburg than there is in London. The footballers could even be more affected than less sporty people because when they play their lungs are already working at capacity, so the reduced oxygen levels could have more of an effect

They then cross referenced these findings to altitude levels of football stadiums being used in the World Cup in South Africa - of which the ones in Johannesburg are the highest.

We want to draw attention to the enormous effects that high altitude has on the body. Every year lives are lost in the mountains because people don?t appreciate the dangers