Air Quality, Exercise, and You

The LA times recently ran an expose on something that’s simply a fact of life for many outdoor exercisers: poor air quality. We’re currently in the midst of “smog season,” which runs from May 1 to October 1. The combination of heat, sun, air pollution, and smoke may cause lung irritation and shortness of breath even in the healthiest of athletes.

When muscles are challenged, as they are during brisk-paced workouts, they need more oxygen to function. Breathing rates increase about seven times, and lungs take in and let out two to three times the normal amount. What all this translates into is heightened pollutant exposure and increased heart attack risk due to cardiac stress.

Public health authorities post air quality indexes regularly on websites and in newspapers, but many exercisers ignore them or are simply unaware. Experts say that you should pay close attention when levels rise above 150. At indexes of 151-200, athletes should nix outside workouts longer than one hour. Above 200, all active outdoor activities should be stopped. The health risks may not be noticeable until the index tops 300, but in the 200-300 range, minor symptoms can spring up, and if left untreated, can turn into serious health problems. Since ozone levels are highest in the afternoons and lowest in the mornings, take advantage of early exercising. If you want to continue outdoor workouts, get them in during the morning hours. Jogging, skating, or biking near the beach will also help a little – coastal areas are typically clearer than inland areas due to fresh ocean breezes. Pay attention to the air quality index and any wildfires that might be burning. Putting this information to use could save your health!

Bookmark/Search this post with:

delicious | digg | reddit | furl | google | yahoo | technorati