Humidity effect
[hyoo-mid-i-tee ih-fekt]
/hjuːˈmɪdɪti ɪˈfɛkt/
Noun
The impact of atmospheric moisture content on various physical, chemical, and biological processes, including material properties, weather patterns, and human comfort.
Humidity affects running by making it harder for sweat to evaporate, impairing the body's cooling mechanism. This can lead to overheating and increased heart rate, reducing performance. High humidity also makes breathing feel more laborious due to the moisture content in the air. Runners may experience fatigue faster and need to adjust their pace. For example, a runner might find a 10K race more challenging on a humid day compared to a dry one. Understanding humidity's impact helps runners plan hydration and pacing strategies, ensuring safety and optimizing performance in varying weather conditions.