How does high altitude impact athletic performance?

High altitude significantly impacts athletic performance due to the lower atmospheric pressure, which results in reduced oxygen availability. At high altitudes, the percentage of oxygen in the air remains the same (about 21%), but the decrease in air pressure means there is less oxygen available for inhalation and absorption into the bloodstream. This reduced oxygen availability can impair endurance performance because the body requires adequate oxygen for the production of energy during prolonged physical activity.

Athletes who train at higher altitudes often experience a condition called "altitude sickness," which can further hinder physical performance. Additionally, the body adapts to these conditions over time through physiological changes, such as increased red blood cell production, but this adaptation does not happen immediately.

In contrast, improvements in endurance or aerobic capacity do not occur instantly at high altitude; instead, they may develop over time with prolonged exposure and proper acclimatization. Therefore, while training at altitude can have long-term benefits after these adaptations take place, the immediate effect of high altitude on performance is predominantly negative due to the lack of oxygen.