As the Chiefs walk out of their locker room at Sports Authority Field in Denver, they're greeted by a sign that reads 'Elevation: 5,280 feet.'
It's a friendly reminder the altitude there is much different than in Kansas City. That means the air is thinner, and any activity can feel much more strenuous.
"When the Chiefs come here to play the Broncos, how do the Broncos not have this massive edge and the Chiefs are sitting on the sidelines sucking oxygen the entire time? Because it makes a huge difference," said Denver-based trainer Katherine Mocho.
Mocho met 41 Action News Reporter Lexi Sutter at Red Rocks Park to give a lesson in altitude impact on the body.
"Your muscles don’t have enough oxygen," Mocho explained, as she put Lexi through a quick-paced Tabata style work out. "You feel like your lungs don’t have enough oxygen, but that not actually what is making you tired. It's that your lungs are pulling in thinner air.”
The Chiefs players may be professional athletes, but even world-class athletes feel the impact of the elevation.
"It's hard, it's hard," said Chiefs Linebacker Derrick Johnson. "Over the years, going down there, doing warm ups, I get tired and I get tired a little quicker than usual."
The Broncos chalk it up as the ultimate home field advantage.
There's not much the away team can do to prepare for it.
Johnson plans to rely on his experience.
"You can get tired really fast, but one thing I know is if you can go to Denver and play good early and get off the field not have those long drives you wont get into that that small winded problem.”
As for the average person, Mocho suggests lots of water and taking it slow.
"You can’t breathe hard enough, you can’t catch up," she said. "You have to essentially stop and rest or slow your pace down.”
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Lexi Sutter can be reached at lexi.sutter@kshb.com.
