South Korea men's national soccer team players are struggling to adapt to high-altitude conditions during a pre-World Cup training camp in the U.S. [1].
Acclimatization is critical for the squad to prevent performance loss and dehydration before the tournament begins. The team is implementing a gradual increase in training intensity to ensure players can compete effectively in thin air without risking health crises [1, 2].
Medical staff are monitoring the athletes closely to manage the physical toll of the elevation. Each player undergoes health-status checks four times per day [1]. These frequent evaluations are designed to track dehydration levels, and overall acclimatization progress as the team adjusts to the environment [1, 2].
Some players have described the physical strain as overwhelming. Midfielder Lee Dong-kyung said the experience was like climbing Mount Everest, noting that he had been under the illusion that the training would be light until the altitude took hold [1]. According to reports, some players felt exhausted after just one day [1].
Recovery protocols are also being tailored to the specific climate of the camp. Midfielder Baek Seung-ho said he expected the location to be hotter, but found the wind provided a cooling effect. To aid recovery, players have utilized warm water set to 40 °C [1].
The training camp remains focused on balancing rigorous preparation with the biological requirements of high-altitude exposure. By utilizing a combination of medical monitoring and modified training loads, the coaching staff aims to peak the players' fitness without causing burnout or altitude sickness [1, 2].
“Each player undergoes health-status checks four times per day.”
High-altitude training is a common strategy to increase red blood cell count and aerobic capacity, but it carries significant risks of fatigue and dehydration. For the South Korean national team, the struggle to adapt suggests a challenging transition period where the risk of overtraining is high. Success in this camp depends on the medical staff's ability to calibrate intensity against the players' physiological responses to avoid injury before the World Cup.
