Association of Foehn winds with physiological parameters in the general population​

Background Foehn winds—warm, dry downslope winds common in alpine regions—may impact human health, especially in weather-sensitive individuals, though evidence is lacking. Wearable devices now enable continuous health monitoring, offering new insights into physiological reactions to such weather conditions. This study investigates the association between Foehn winds and physiological parameters. Methods In a repeated-measures design, healthy adults in Liechtenstein wore medical sensory bracelets for 11 months, recording nightly heart rate (HR), heart rate variability (HRV), wrist skin temperature (WST), respiratory rate (RR), perfusion index (PI) and sleep duration. Foehn exposure was determined using local weather data. Linear mixed-effects models assessed associations, adjusting for confounders. Results A total of 714 participants (59.7% women; mean age 44.0 years) were included. Foehn was associated with changes in HR (+ 0.25 bpm; 95% CI: 0.17, 0.33), PI (+ 0.78%; 95% CI: 0.22, 1.33), and HRV (–0.29%; 95% CI: − 0.55, − 0.04), while RR, WST, and sleep duration remained unchanged. 40.8% disclosed being Foehn-sensitive via questionnaire. They showed a 9.92% lower PI irrespective of Foehn. Effects of Foehn differed by Foehn sensitivity: HR (+ 0.32 bpm vs. +0.15 bpm) and HRV (–0.53% vs. +0.04%) responses were more pronounced in non-sensitive individuals. Conclusions Our findings show that Foehn winds are linked to changes in physiological parameters, suggesting a weather-induced stress response. These effects were independent of sex. Interestingly, Foehn-sensitive individuals showed a lower baseline perfusion index (irrespective of Foehn), indicating a potential physiological predisposition. However, contrary to expectations, stronger physiological responses occurred in non-sensitive individuals.