The benefits of physical activity, lower because of pollution
It goes without saying that leading a healthy lifestyle involves doing exercise. Physical activity must be a constant in all people and numerous studies prove it. However, are there other factors that make the organism suffer equally despite the existence of these practices?
According to the Institute of Global Health of Barcelona, ISGlobalYes, there is. One in particular: atmospheric pollution. According to a recent study by this agency, the levels of pollution cause the benefits of physical activity they are considerably reduced and, therefore, health is not taken advantage of the positive results that exercise has.
Less respiratory benefits
To check the effect of pollution on the benefits of physical activity, the ISGlobal analyzed the cases of 30 healthy people who had exercised in atmospheric conditions. That is to say, they practiced some sport without pollution in the environment. These participants had an increase significant of short-term airway function that lasted for several hours.
On the contrary, if these data were compared with those of people who had practiced in conditions of contamination, the results they changed. These same respiratory benefits were not given with the same intensity in these members. In fact, its respiratory function decreased in the short term, just the opposite as in the cases where there had been some physical activity in environments without pollution.
Particles in the air
The ISGlobal also emphasizes that although physical activity can be reduced its benefits by pollution, it can help to counteract the effects of this on the body. Specifically practicing exercise causes the harmful influence of suspended particles PM2,5, PM10 and PMcoarse.
On the other hand, Mark Nieuwenhuijsen, coordinator of this study, says that this is a good start in the field of research since it is the first work that analyzes the influence of pollution on physical exercise. "Previous studies they had already shown that people who play sports in the city were more exposed to air pollution, but there was doubt whether the practice of physical activity in environments with high pollution was beneficial or harmful to lung function, "explains this professional.
Now this research shows that environmental pollution effectively has an impact on the respiratory tract while exercising and makes the benefits of this reduce. However, Nieuwenhuijsen, stresses that more work should be carried out to deepen these results.
Damián Montero
