Humidity and heat, which makes us restless, can be proved favorable for the athletes. On one side when Olympic athletes are worried about heat and humidity, researchers said that the same heat and humidity is positive for them. Research shows that higher humidity can result in increased concentration of athletes ‘drawing’ on mental ‘reserves’ and allow improved mental performance.

Beijing heat might give unexpected benefit to the athletes. A study from Nottingham Trent University found that members of the GB hockey squad were better at decision-making in the heat.

Scientist Hannah Macleod said that they could draw on “cognitive reserves”.

It was tested on two athletes who were set to play under two different environmental conditions. One in the same hot environment expected in Beijing and other in normal conditions. When asked to complete mental tasks, the players completed the same number in the hot environment as in normal conditions, but with notable improvements in the time taken to do so.

Ms Macleod said, “We’ve found that under extreme conditions, elite athletes are able to draw on cognitive reserves which allow them to counter the effects of heat stress.”

“Their mental acuity is actually seen to improve, a result that is of enormous benefit to competitors in field sports such as hockey.”

Conventional wisdom says athletes, particularly those from cooler countries, find it tough to adapt to competing in high temperatures but Macleod denied the thought saying, “Our findings have been able to offer reassurance to the GB players that their brain functions will not be affected by heat stress.”

The conclusion from these findings says that ‘humidity’ forces individuals to adapt by focusing and increasing concentration. Ironically, it helps the individual to achieve better.