ABSTRACT
Soccer is played worldwide and in highly varied environmental conditions which are rarely conducive to optimal performance. In some instances, the climatic conditions are too hostile or unsuitable for playing and there is an enforced break in the competitive programme, particularly in northern climates during winter and tropical countries during the rainy season. In the former, it becomes impossible to maintain playing pitches and the weather is too cold to play in comfort. At the other extreme is the stress imposed by a hot environment and the difficulty of coping with high heat and humidity. The hottest part of the day is usually avoided and matches are scheduled for evening kick-offs, albeit this is not always feasible in highly competitive international tournaments and teams are obliged to compete in conditions to which they are unaccustomed. This factor was illustrated by the final match of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, were air temperatures on the field reached 42°C.
