City Of Ostrava Research Articles

Bachelor’s Degree Studies Satisfaction in the City of Ostrava

Bachelor education in the Czech Republic plays a vital role in shaping the nation's workforce and economy; this paper investigates Bachelor's Degree programs, emphasizing their duration, diversity, and impact on national development. Through a literature review, it addresses challenges such as educational quality, employability, and student satisfaction. The study highlights the need for improved funding, career support, and industry partnerships to enhance the Bachelor’s Degree Education experience in the Czech Republic. Furthermore, it offers strategic recommendations for policymakers to optimize the accessibility, relevance, and quality of Bachelor's Education, ultimately fostering individual advancement and progress. For clarity purposes, it is necessary to highlight that the results of this research paper are drawn from a preliminary research study that was conducted in 2024 in the City of Ostrava in the Czech Republic.

Seasonal oxidative dynamics and isotopic fractionation of NOx and SO2 in Ostrava, Czech Republic: Insights from stable isotope analysis

The city of Ostrava, NE Czech Republic, is known for its industrial pollution. It has well-characterized emission sources and stable air movement patterns. These features are conveniently used to generalize on atmospheric NOx and SO2 oxidation processes. In 2021, we conducted a series of sampling campaigns to assess the isotopic fractionation conducive to NO3− and SO42− aerosols in PM10. These sampling campaigns were timed to capture varying atmospheric conditions, including climatic inversion periods, providing also insights into urban emission dynamics over the course of the year. Gaseous NOx and SO2 were collected on passive filters, while their oxidized forms, NO3− and SO42, were captured on PM10 particle filters, enabling us to analyze the transformation dynamics of these pollutants. Isotopic analyses distinguished the sources of NOx emissions—coal combustion (δ15N = −3‰) and vehicular emissions (δ15N = −7 ‰)—and allowed quantifying isotope fractionation during their conversion to NO3− (εNOx-NO3- = 11.5 ± 1.15 ‰). This fractionation, however, was influenced by seasonal variations, and appears to be notably affected by NH4NO3 decomposition during warmer months. The correlation of the NO3− to NOx ratio with PM10 and atmospheric moisture highlighted the interplay between particulate matter and humidity in relevant atmospheric transformations. Similarly, for SO2, primarily emitted from coal combustion (δ34S = −2‰), we identified distinct fractionation patterns during oxidation to SO42− encompassing both kinetic (εSO2-H2O = −1.3 ± 0.5‰) and equilibrium (εSO2- SO42- = 2.24 ± 0.67‰) effects. The SO42−/SO2 ratio was correlated with PM10 but showed no dependence on humidity. Significantly, atmospheric inversion conditions accelerated oxidation, modifying the fractionation patterns for both NOx (εNOx-NO3- = 7‰) and SO2 (εSO2- SO42-= −0.9 ± 0.3‰). Our methodology elucidates pivotal mechanisms in atmospheric pollution transformation, underlined by the tracing of NOx and SO2 to aerosol conversions via δ15N and δ34S isotopic analyses. The isotope fractionation underscores equilibrium processes in oxidation reactions, while the effect of PM10 and humidity reveals the complexity of these atmospheric oxidative transformations. The role of wet deposition in removing SO2 highlights an essential pathway in the atmospheric sulfur cycle.

Factors Influencing Bachelor’s Degree Students’ Satisfaction

This study delves into the factors influencing the satisfaction of Bachelor's Degree students in Ostrava, Czech Republic. With a focus on scholarly quality, support, and social aspects, it investigates key determinants such as academic environment, faculty support, campus facilities, and social activities. Employing a quantitative research approach, survey data from 30 participants were analyzed. Results reveal that factors like teaching methods, learning environment, and program affordability significantly impact satisfaction levels. The findings highlight the multidimensional nature of student satisfaction. For clarity purposes, it is necessary to highlight that the results of this research paper are drawn from a preliminary research study that was conducted in 2024 in the City of Ostrava in the Czech Republic.

Identification of Causes of Air Pollution in a Specific Industrial Part of the Czech City of Ostrava in Central Europe

This contribution deals with the assessment of air pollution caused by atmospheric aerosol particulate matter fraction PM10 and benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) in the urban agglomeration of Ostrava, located in the Czech Republic in Central Europe. The motivation for this research was the need to identify the sources of air pollution in the area, particularly in locations where the contribution of different sources to concentrations of pollutants of concern has not been elucidated yet. In this study, source apportionment in the vicinity of the industrial hot spot was performed by statistically evaluating measured pollutant concentrations as a function of meteorological variables and using the Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) receptor model. A significant methodological innovation and improvement over previous assessments was the higher monitoring resolution of benzo[a]pyrene, with samples collected at three-hour intervals instead of the standard 24 h collection period. The key findings indicate that in the cold part of the year, secondary particles—specifically sulfates and ammonium nitrates—were responsible for the most significant portion of PM10 air pollution throughout the area of interest. The contribution of these particles ranged from one-third to two-fifths of the total concentration, except at the industrial site of Ostrava–Radvanice (TORE), where they accounted for approximately one-fifth of the measured pollution concentration level. Emissions from individual household heating were identified as the main source of this type of pollution. With regards to benzo[a]pyrene air pollution, this study found that in the whole area of interest, except for the Ostrava–Radvanice site, it mainly originated from individual heating with coal (90%). In contrast, at the Ostrava–Radvanice site, two-thirds of the benzo[a]pyrene pollution came from the premises of Liberty Ostrava a.s., primarily from coke production, and less than one-third came from local domestic heating. This study also determined the spatial extent of the occurrence of extremely high benzo[a]pyrene concentrations (above 5 ng/m3), which are estimated to affect nearly 10,000 inhabitants. The results confirm that the data from the TORE station are only representative of its immediate surroundings and are not applicable to the assessment of air quality and causes of air pollution in the whole city of Ostrava or the urban area of Ostrava–Radvanice as a whole. After years of research, these findings provide the Ministry of the Environment of the Czech Republic and the government with an accurate basis for implementing measures to address the identified pollution sources in the area of interest. The success of this study was made possible by the adoption of a more detailed sampling approach, which involved a resolution of 3 h instead of 24 h. This methodological improvement is a significant finding and will be useful for future source apportionment studies.

Bats of the Ostrava city and their synantropization

Abstract Based on the published findings (Koštejnová 2013, Slezáková 2014, Gajdošík 2020), unpublished data from museum specimens (2005 – 2013), and data from field surveys (2005 – 2023), a total of 13 bat species were recorded in the urban area of Ostrava in North Moravia. Common species in the area included Pipistrellus pipistrellus, Nyctalus noctula, Eptesicus serotinus, Myotis daubentonii, and Vespertilio murinus. P. pipistrellus was eudominant species (D = 74.41), followed by N. noctula (D = 11.41). E. serotinus was a subdominant species (D = 4.59), followed by M. daubentonii (D = 3.77) and V. murinus (D = 2.45). The occurrence of M. mystacinus/brandtii was recendent (D = 1.33), and the occurrence of M. nattereri (D = 0.51), E. nilssonii (D = 0.51), P. pygmaeus (D = 0.31), Plecotus auritus/austriacus (D = 0.31), Pipistrellus nathusii (D = 0.20), N. leisleri (D = 0.10), M. myotis (D = 0.10) and M. brandtii (D = 0.10) were subrecendent. In the summer season, eudominant species were P. pipistrellus (D = 76.84), followed by the N. noctula (D = 10.63), subdominant E. serotinus (D = 4.74), and M. daubentonii (D = 3.89), with M. mystacinus/brandtii being recendent (D = 1.37). In the winter season, eudominant species were V. murinus (D = 62.50), followed by the N. noctula (D = 34.38) and subdominant P. nathusii (D = 3.13). However, the species composition inside and outside buildings differed significantly. In the summer season, eudominant species inside buildings was P. pipistrellus (D = 99.57), followed by the subrecendent species V. murinus (D = 0.29) and M. daubentonii (D = 0.14). Outside buildings, N. noctula (D = 40.16) were eudominant, followed by E. serotinus (D = 17.72), P. pipistrellus (D = 14.17), and M. daubentonii (D = 14.17), with M. mystacinus/brandtii (D = 5.12) was dominant, and M. nattereri (D = 1.97), E. nilssonii (D = 1.97), P. pygmaeus (D = 1.18), and P. auritus/austriacus (D = 1.18) were recendent species. In the winter season, eudominant species inside buildings were V. murinus (D = 68.75), followed by N. noctula (D = 25.00), and the situation was very similar outside the buildings during this period, with eudominant V. murinus (D = 56.25) and N. noctula (D = 43.75). Two roosts of the maternity colonies P. pipistrellus were recorded in city buildings: in Výškovice, Lumírova 10, in a expansion joint near the balcony on the top floor of a panel residential building; and in Zábřeh, Plzeňská 2617/4 and Plzeňská 2617/6, in expansion joints on the top floors of an old panel building used as a hostel and apartment building.

Regeneration of Panel Housing Estates from the Perspective of Thermal Technology, Sustainability and Environmental Context (Case Study of the City of Ostrava, Czech Republic)

The future of panel housing estates is influenced by a number of factors. Although panel housing estates have seen their share of commentary and analysis from both supporters and de-tractors, there has been no comprehensive effort to explore the field of panel housing estates in terms of building thermal regeneration measures. This article focuses on the links between thermo-technical regeneration measures in panel housing estates, and the application of External Thermal Insulation Composite Systems (ETICS) and their impact on the urban environment of panel housing estates. The paper contains three main sections in which we (1) synthesize the literature, sources, building physics context, and assumptions for the occurrence of biodeterization in the facades of prefab residential housing located in housing estates; (2) compare the case studies and their results from the 2010–2021 field reconnaissance, in situ diagnostics, and laboratory analyses; and (3) identify/illustrate common features, the extent to which the quality of prefab residential housing located in housing estates with ETICS exterior surfaces is influenced by the environmental context, whereby we understand the whole process of the environmental assessment framework as an interrelated complexity of the interacting links between the environment, urban planning, architecture and construction sectors, supporting a holistic approach to the issue at hand. The results show that regeneration work, on the one hand, improves the urbanized environment and the energy potential of a housing estate; on the other hand, we encounter new manifestations of defects and disorders in the form of biodegradation of facades that we did not expect.

Assessment of Automated Parking Garage Services as a Means to Sustainable Traffic Development in a Mid-Sized City

The research in this article deals with verifying the deficit of parking spaces from model examples in the city of Ostrava, Czech Republic. Specifically, it deals with the possibilities of solving these deficits using automated parking systems. The main data collection took place between 2010 and 2019; later, supplemental lockdown data (up until May 2022) were obtained. The main objective of this article was to use data to determine the profitability and functionality of automated parking systems in mid-sized cities such as Ostrava. The RING system was chosen as a suitable model for the automated parking system. The data (using a least-squares approximation) were used via statistical methods to make predictions for future years, including the construction of confidence limits for a given significance level. Based on data from 2011–2019, we found that the RING system would be profitable with a probability of 92.45% in the following years. We compared these predictions with the actual data and made a new prediction.

Tracking sources of PM10 emissions and deposition in the industrial city of Ostrava, Czech Republic: A carbonaceous δ13C-based approach

The sources of airborne particulate matter (PM10) emissions in Ostrava, Czech Republic, were investigated. Emphasis was placed on their organic carbon (OC) and elemental carbon (EC) contents, and their carbon stable isotope composition, δ13C. Emission sources were identified using OC-δ13C and concentration values. To track the extent of long-term deposition, these sources were also identified using the black carbon (BC) δ13C values of soil samples. At all sampling sites, wind flow is predominantly (65–80%) bidirectional in either SW-NE or NE-SW trajectories. Source apportionment along these dominant airflow trajectories was calculated from an isotopic 13C mass balance, and according to differences in the OC content and δ13C values of PM10. Determined emission sources are: (i) combustion of Silesian hard coal (δ13C = −24.5‰); (ii) local Ostrava coal combustion (δ13C = −25.5 to −26‰), automotive emissions (δ13C = −26.5‰), and biogenic particles (δ13C = −28 to −28.5‰). Winter emissions (mean OC concentrations from 12 to 25 μg m−3) originated mostly from coal combustion (80%) in domestic and industrial point sources. Differences were ascribed to automotive emissions. Ostrava is located near the Czech-Polish border, transboundary emissions are transported under a southbound wind flow that transported from 40 to 80% of the collected PM10. Summer emissions were lower (mean OC concentration from 6 to 8 μg m−3). Automotive emissions accounted for up to 40%, whilst biogenic production accounted for 60%. Absence of 13C isotope data of secondary OC (SOC 1.2–1.5 μg m−3) increases uncertainty in our source apportionment in summer; when SOC could comprise >20% of total OC. Contribution of SOC to the winter-measured OC is much lower (5–10%), and has no significant effect on mass balances. The upper soil layer analyses revealed long-term deposition of the same emissions sources. We conclude that the stable δ13C isotope values of OC and EC are useful for discriminating against local sources of PM10 pollution in relatively small urban areas, containing discrete polluting sources. Such a simplified approach can be easily standardized and implemented to manage regulatory compliances in the increasingly commoditized carbon offset market.

Research on Micro-Mobility with a Focus on Electric Scooters within Smart Cities

In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, an increasing number of people prefer individual single-track vehicles for urban transport. Long-range super-lightweight small electric vehicles are preferred due to the rising cost of electricity. It is difficult for new researchers and experts to obtain information on the current state of solutions in addressing the issues described within the Smart Cities platform. The research on the current state of the development of long-range super-lightweight small electric vehicles for intergenerational urban E-mobility using intelligent infrastructure within Smart Cities was carried out with the prospect of using the information learned in a pilot study. The study will be applied to resolving the traffic service of the Poruba city district within the statutory city of Ostrava in the Czech Republic. The main reason for choosing this urban district is the fact that it has the largest concentration of secondary schools and is the seat of the VŠB-Technical University of Ostrava. The project investigators see secondary and university students as the main target group of users of micro-mobility devices based on super-lightweight and small electric vehicles.

Suitability of Using Mechanization Means for the Maintenance of Grass Stands by the Method of Mulching

This study aims to provide comprehensive and practical information on particular mechanization means used in the maintenance of permanent grass stands, namely grass cutting technologies without the collection of cut grass biomass - mulching. A sample consisting of six machines classified into three categories (uniaxial tool carriers, single-axle small tractors, cutting machines with a zero turning radius) was tested in practice and functional and operational aspects of the machines were studied on different localities of permanent grass stands. Data measured in the individual machines were used to calculate consumption [l/ha], consumption [l/mth], consumption [l/l of cut biomass] or performance [ha/hour]. The measurements took place on two sites: a site with the permanent grass stand unkempt for a long time and a site regularly maintained by mulching. The study was conducted in the cadastral area of Ostrava City situated in the NE part of the Czech Republic. Results of the study show that the total fuel consumption [l/ha] in the individual mowing machines always at all times higher on plots that were unkempt for a long time. The overall comparison of fuel consumption [l/mth] of the individual types of cutting machines between the localities showed that nearly all tested cutting machines had a higher consumption on sites with permanent grass stands unkempt for a long time. The performance [ha/h] of all cutting machines was higher on the sites that were regularly maintained by mulching in the past.

Identification of Causes of Air Pollution in the Industrial Part of the Czech City of Ostrava in Central Europe

Identification of Causes of Air Pollution in the Industrial Part of the Czech City of Ostrava in Central Europe

Ecological and economic multicriteria optimization of operating alternative propulsion vehicles within the city of Ostrava in the Czech Republic

Research background: Individual car transport significantly burdens the environment, especially in the centres of large cities. There is pollution, traffic jams and an increase in overall noise. In the area of passenger car transport, legislation is being significantly tightened. Therefore, there are also increasing demands on public transport operators in the Czech Republic. Previously, most of the fleet consisted of diesel vehicles. These have been gradually replaced by drives that are significantly more environmentally friendly, such as the Compressed natural gas drive. The requirements defined in relation to the reduction of vehicle emissions are increasingly stricter. A number of cities, not only within the European Union, are addressing significant issues concerning the future of public transport. Purpose of the article: The main objective of the article is to demonstrate an in-depth analysis of the operation of transport vehicles in the Statutory City of Ostrava, both from the cost and environmental point of view. The comparison of transport means using CNG, electric and diesel propulsion is made. Specific factors such as the route profile or the environmental impact of the mode of transport are also taken into account. The extent of the data processed and the multidimensional nature of the assessment offer a unique analysis of the problem. The article provides an exact view of the advantages and disadvantages of operating specific means of transport. Everything is based on data on transport operations in the city of Ostrava (the Czech Republic, EU). Methods: The comprehensive evaluation is based on the application of methods from the field of financial accounting, evaluation of measured data from the operation of transport means and, last but not least, on the analysis of empirical data from the given area. The analysed data set is unique due to the time period, as is the multi-criteria evaluation methodology. Findings & value added: The analysis performed demonstrated the economic viability of operating CNG vehicles. The main added value of the article is the unique multi-criteria evaluation procedure for the vehicles. The paper shows the evaluation of a complex decision problem in the transport field in the form of a case study implemented in the city of Ostrava. The evaluation results then consider both cost and environmental factors, which can be described as a comprehensive and highly innovative approach. The defined assessment can then be applied to other European and world metropolises.

The efficiency of providing public services in transport

: Today’s dynamic environment, which is developing at a rapid pace, places high demands not only on transport, but also on efficiency, speed, safety, quality and, in particular, questions about the efficiency of spending funds from city budgets, all with a strong emphasis on the environmental friendliness of urban public transport. Given that the public sector is undergoing changes, the main goal of which is to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of financial management in the public sector, cities must really always place a strong emphasis on ensuring maximum efficiency of services provided and the use of public resources in all expenditure areas of the budget. In the vast majority of cases, the financing of urban public transport currently represents the greatest burden on urban public budgets not only in the Czech Republic but also in cities in the EU. The article presents the outputs that emerged within the project “Methodological - application tools for efficiency financial management of territorial structured statutory city”. The outputs of the article are focused on the area of transport, as it is one of the key areas of the city budget and in terms of expenditure sections, transport expenditures represent the highest amount in the budget of the Statutory City of Ostrava. Geographic information systems (GIS) can be successfully used to analyse efficiency, demand and urban public transport planning. For the purpose of effective presentation of information on the state and drawing of the budget and on the effectiveness of funds spent from the budget of the statutory city and individual city districts, the R-Point web map application was created. An interactive map showing statistical indicators in the area, there are also graphs that serve the user for a better comparison of data between individual city districts and the City of Ostrava.

Roma Workers under Czech Racial Capitalism: A Post-Socialist Case Study

This article contributes to the theory of racial capitalism by focusing on racialization of labor in the post-socialist context. Drawing on fieldwork conducted with Roma workers in the city of Ostrava, the Czech Republic, the paper investigates the role of the Czech state in confining Roma to low-paid, precarious and informal work—and how dynamics of racialization figure in this relationship. State policies like job placement programs, I claim, explicitly target Roma workers, channelling them into stigmatized and low paying positions, reproducing racial prejudices and confining them to precarious and often dangerous work. Using the category of “racialized surplus population,” I examine the functionalist relationship between racialization and capitalism in the Czech Republic, which I argue is manifest both economically—enabling capital to rely on racialized workers as a reserve army of labor—and politically, as the exclusion of Roma from the white proletariat mediates class conflict.

Intelligent and efficient parking solutions

The high demand for mobility around the world means a constant increase in road traffic and a deterioration in parking spaces. The paper focuses on the issue of automatic parking systems in the Czech Republic. It defines automatic parking, functionality and also informs about the possibility of using BIM. It describes in detail the systems located in the city of Ostrava.

Contamination of the Burňa watercourse, by a dumps complex

This article dealing with the problematic contamination surface water in dumps complex and there were monitoring basic physical and chemical parameters, toxic and strategic metals. There were analysed inorganic ions NH4, Cl, SO4, NO3, NO2 by standard laboratory analysis, and the elements Pb, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni were measured by method ICP MS, and elements Zn, Fe, Mn, Na by method AAS. The case study of the contamination in the Burňa watercourse basin, in industrial landscape of the Ostrava city is unique in solving the problem of ecological burdens of the Ostrava city. One year of monitoring case study showed a significant load on the watercourse with the expected contamination especially by toxic metals. The surface water Burňa watercourse was affected by a dumps complex and their chemistry. The source of the contamination is the impact of former mining, in this post-mining landscape.

Micro-Geographies of Information and Communication Technology Firms in a Shrinking Medium-Sized Industrial City of Ostrava (Czechia)

We aimed to explain the spatial distribution of information and communication technology (ICT) firms in the city of Ostrava as an example of a medium-sized, shrinking, polycentric industrial city. The primary research question was to what extent micro-geographic location factors affect the current spatial clustering of ICT firms in polycentric cities characteristic by relatively weak urbanization economies and mostly routine character of ICT activities. We analyse and test the effects of the urban form at the level of urban blocks and individual buildings (considering their height, technical condition, age and dominant function) on the clustering of ICT firms of various sizes and ownership statuses. The inquiry was based on a detailed field mapping (using ArcGIS Collector) of ICT firms and physical/functional characteristics of the buildings and their immediate surroundings. ICT firms are significantly spatially concentrated in the historic city centre and inner city. Spatial patterns of ICT firms focused on less knowledge-intensive, routine and/or lower value-added functions do not differ fundamentally from innovative firms developing new products. Preference of denser, walkable, mixed-use neighbourhoods in urban cores/inner cities can be found in the group of firms focusing on routine functions: rather for larger than for smaller firms and domestic than foreign-owned firms.

Impact of season, cloud cover, and air pollution on different spectral regions of ultraviolet and visible incident solar radiation at the surface

AbstractThis study deals with the impact of season, cloud cover, and air pollution on spectral regions of incident solar radiation (UVB, UVA, photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) = Blue + Green + Red, 660, 730 nm) and their ratios (Blue/Red, Blue/PAR, Green/PAR, Red/PAR, 660/730 nm, UVB/UVA, UVB/PAR, and UVA/PAR) measured at three measuring stations at two locations in the City of Ostrava, Czech Republic. The mentioned spectral regions are crucial for plants because they influence photosynthesis and photomorphogenesis. However, there is still a lack of published information about the radiation regime in the plants' environment. The measured data underwent a quality check and were divided into 40 groups corresponding to different combinations of season, cloud cover, and air pollution level. Standard statistical characteristics of spectral regions and their ratios were calculated for each combination. Generalized linear models were used to evaluate the effect of air pollutants on spectral regions of incident solar radiation. Average irradiance values in the spectral regions generally decreased with increasing air pollution on both cloudy and sunny days. A mostly decreasing trend of average values of ratios with increasing air pollution is found mainly on sunny days and, for some cases, even on cloudy days. Each ratio shows a specific patterns depending on the season and cloud cover. The generalized linear models confirm previously published results and underline that air pollution affects various spectral regions of incident solar radiation differently.

An assessment of PM1 levels based on indicative PM1 measurements and relationships with PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations, for the analysis of hospital admissions and mortality in the Moravian region.

Particulate matter (PM) air pollution is a serious concern in the city of Ostrava. Thus, in 2018, a project entitled "Validation of the relationships between PM10, PM2.5 and PM1 concentrations, and morbidity and mortality, in the heavily polluted region in the Czech Republic," was launched. The relationship between hospital admissions and mortality in the said region is based primarily on short-term PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations and indicative PM1 measurement. The analysis of spatiotemporal variations and the relationship between PM10, PM2.5 and PM1 data from 3 measurement sites within the city of Ostrava is presented. The analysis was based on the daily average PM concentrations for 5 and 6 months at 2 sites, and on the annual average values (2018-2019) at the baseline station. The correlations of and variability between PM fractions, seasonal differences and explanation of the differences found were the objectives of a detailed analysis. Especially, the potential PM1 variability and its causes were analyzed with respect to the location of the site. The study findings confirmed good correlations between the PM fractions. Compared to PM10, PM2.5 concentrations were more predictive for PM1 concentrations. The annual means of PM10, PM2.5 and PM1 reached 37.5, 29.9 and 27.1 μg/m3 in 2018, respectively, and 25.8, 19.9 and 17.9 μg/m3 in 2019, respectively. The concentration levels in the non-heating season were significantly lower than in the heating season in the 2 years under consideration. The levels of PM10, PM2.5 and PM1 were significantly correlated (the correlation coefficient, r > 0.96). The levels of PM2.5 represented about 0.82-0.86 of PM10, and the levels of PM1 about 0.92-0.93 of PM2.5. These ratios were found to differ in the heating and non-heating seasons, with the PM2.5-PM10 ratio ranging 0.61-0.63 in the non-heating seasons. The correlations found will be used for indicative PM1 measurements in other areas of the region. Seasonal variability should be taken into account as well. Med Pr. 2021;72(3):249-58.

Physical activity in an air-polluted environment: behavioral, psychological and neuroimaging protocol for a prospective cohort study (Healthy Aging in Industrial Environment study \u2013 Program 4)

BackgroundAir pollution has been linked to increased mortality and morbidity. The Program 4 of the Healthy Aging in Industrial Environment study investigates whether the health and wellbeing benefits of physical activity (PA) can be fully realized in individuals living in highly polluted environments. Herein, we introduce the behavioral, psychological and neuroimaging protocol of the study.MethodsThis is a prospective cohort study of N = 1500 individuals aged 18–65 years comparing: (1) individuals living in the highly polluted, industrial region surrounding the city of Ostrava (n = 750), and (2) controls from the comparison region with relative low pollution levels in Southern Bohemia (n = 750). Quota sampling is used to obtain samples balanced on age, gender, PA status (60% active runners vs. 40% insufficiently active). Participants are screened and complete baseline assessments through online questionnaires and in-person lab-based assessments of physiological, biomechanical, neuroimaging and cognitive function parameters. Prospective 12-month intensive monitoring of air pollution and behavioral parameters (PA, inactivity, and sleep) follows, with a focus on PA-related injuries and psychological factors through fitness trackers, smartphones, and mobile apps. Subsequently, there will be a 5-year follow-up of the study cohort.DiscussionThe design of the study will allow for (1) the assessment of both short-term variation and long-term change in behavioral parameters, (2) evaluation of the incidence of musculoskeletal injuries and psychological factors impacting behavior and injury recovery, and (3) the impact that air pollution status (and change) has on behavior, psychological resilience, and injury recovery. Furthermore, the integration of MRI techniques and cognitive assessment in combination with data on behavioral, biological and environmental variables will provide an opportunity to examine brain structure and cognitive function in relation to health behavior and air pollution, as well as other factors affecting resilience against and vulnerability to adverse changes in brain structure and cognitive aging. This study will help inform individuals about personal risk factors and decision-makers about the impact of environmental factors on negative health outcomes and potential underlying biological, behavioral and psychological mechanisms. Challenges and opportunities stemming from the timing of the study that coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic are also discussed.