High humidity affects ISL openers
Coming to terms with humidity is proving to be as big a challenge for teams in the Indian Super League (ISL) as combating opponents. In Kolkata, where ATK and NorthEast United (NEUFC) meet on Thursday, it unlikely to get any better.
When the fifth season of the ISL began here on Saturday evening, the humidity was around 92% and the temperature 30°C, according to the website timeanddate.com.
Humidity puts great stress on the body’s ability to maintain its core temperature, said sports scientist Niall Clarke, who works with defending champions Chennaiyin FC. The maximum temperatures in Kolkata have been at least three degrees above normal. It usually feels a lot worse than that inside a stadium because the stands inhibit good air circulation.
“When you don’t have the ball in such conditions it becomes more of an effort. Hence, ball retention is the biggest thing. We gave away the ball easily (against Kerala Blasters). I hope it will be better against NorthEast United,” said ATK coach Steve Coppell here on Wednesday. ATK lost their opener 0-2.
HEAVY FLUID LOSS
“During an intense game of football in the heat, players can lose 1.5-2 litres on average; some individuals even up to 3 litres of fluid. The body also loses essential minerals necessary for optimum muscle contractions through sweat. Physiologically there is a reduction in blood volume, skin blood flow, sweat rate and decreased heat dissipation which increases the (body’s) core temperature. This contributes to diminished physical performance,” said Clarke.
Recovery sessions, therefore, become vital. “Recovery starts as soon as the match is finished. The boys have their protein shakes and we make sure that they go into their ice baths. The following day, the boys do just a light bike or pool session to get the blood flowing,” said ATK physio Noel Agustine.
Equally important is acclimatization. Coppell mentioned ATK going to Spain when it was “34 degrees” for pre-seasons in a bid to be able to “duplicate the conditions” at home.
When ATK played Fulham in a pre-season friendly in Spain, however, the maximum temperature was 27° C. Though most of ATK’s imports were part of ISL4, they weren’t in Kolkata whose high humidity needs some getting used to.
John Johnson, for instance, played five seasons on Bengaluru. “The advice we give to players is to stay hydrated and not just on match days,” said Agustine.
NEUFC did their pre-seasons in India so while their players may be better adjusted, they have had two days to recover from a draining encounter against FC Goa at home played in 86% humidity.
“It does make things more difficult for us especially when the weather’s like this. You can’t cheat fitness and there is no shortcut to it. We have tried to ensure the players have had lots of sleep and have kept our training sessions light,” said NEUFC coach Eelco Schattorie.