Abstract
The aim of the study was to determine the impact of air quality—analyzed on the basis of the model of integrating three types of air pollutants (ozone, O3; particulate matter, PM; nitrogen dioxide, NO2)—on the physical activity of soccer players. Study material consisted of 8927 individual match observations of 461 players competing in the German Bundesliga during the 2017/2018 and 2018/2019 domestic seasons. The measured indices included players’ physical activities: total distance (TD) and high-intensity effort (HIE). Statistical analysis showed that with increasing levels of air pollution, both TD (F = 13.900(3); p = 0.001) and HIE (F = 8.060(3); p = 0.001) decrease significantly. The worsening of just one parameter of air pollution results in a significant reduction in performance. This is important information as air pollution is currently a considerable problem for many countries. Improving air quality during training sessions and sports competitions will result in better well-being and sporting performance of athletes and will also help protect athletes from negative health effects caused by air pollution.
Highlights
As Reche et al [1] and Fitch [2] indicate inhalation of high concentrations of air pollutants can cause more harm to athletes who undertake intensive training than to the general public
The following mean levels and standard errors of air pollution parameters were recorded during the study: PM10, 19.04 ± 0.12
The study aimed to determine the impact of air quality—analyzed on the basis of the model of integrating three types of air pollutants (O3, NO2, PM10)—on the physical activity of soccer players in the Bundesliga
Summary
As Reche et al [1] and Fitch [2] indicate inhalation of high concentrations of air pollutants can cause more harm to athletes who undertake intensive training than to the general public. As their air intake is higher, and many train and compete outdoors for large portions of the day [1]. Athletes can breathe more than 6000 L/h compared with perhaps 4–500 L/h at rest and 1000 L/h with light exercise [2]. It is caused, among other things, by increased lung ventilation during exercise [3]. Despite the studies cited above, there is a scarcity of research on the physical activity of professional athletes in a potentially polluted environment [5] and in particular on soccer players [6]
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