Outdoor Exercise Can Be Dangerous
Physical Activities Outdoors May Cause Respiratory Problems
May 27, 2008
When we think about exercise we think about the many benefits obtained through various acts of physical activity. However, if we don’t exercise proper technique we can injure ourselves. Engaging in physical activity outdoors can expose us to certain risk.
The risk is associated with aerobic activities conducted outdoors near roadways, streets and highways during high volume times. When we run, bike, walk or skate near these areas we risk pollutants irritating the lungs and respiratory system. Pollution emitted from diesel engines of trucks and buses, fine particulate matter, ozone and carbon monoxide are the main culprits and can exacerbate the problems of individuals with underlying diseases such as asthma, bronchitis, emphysema or cardiopulmonary maladies.
Dr. Ronald Crystal, chief of pulmonary and critical care medicine at New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center, says “carbon monoxide arising from cigarette smoke and automobile exhaust has a tremendous ability to force oxygen out of our circulatory system -- it combines with hemoglobin 200 times faster than oxygen. Overexposure may lead to headache, dizziness, confusion, and dangerous increases in body temperature.”
These irritants have been linked toharmful effects on the heart and lungs, to emergency hospital admissions, and to deaths, according to Dr. Crystal. Seems pollution causes the respiratory system to overwork and produce an abundance of mucus, making it more difficult to get oxygen into the body.
Ozone, which is a result of the interaction of sunlight and chemicals found in car exhaust, retards a person's breathing pattern and causes the airways in the lungs to become smaller and more resistant to oxygen exchange. Because of this, breathing becomes shallow forcing you to breath faster and making exercise more stressful.
Dr. Crystal offers these tips to reduce the damaging effects of the irritants and keep pollution out of our body:
- Exercise indoors if at all possible.
- When running stay away from roads that have heavy truck or bus traffic.
- If you must workout outdoors, workout either early morning or late evening when there is less traffic and less emission from vehicles.
- If you experience any difficulty breathing, stop your exercise immediately and see your doctor.
Remember your goal is to enhance your health not diminish it, practice good judgment when determining when and how to engage in physical activity.
"The people who say they don’t have time to take care of themselves will soon discover they’re spending all their time being sick." –Patricia Alexander-
Source:
New York-Presbyterian Hospital (2008, May 14). Exercising In The City? Don't Get Exhaust-ed; Take It Inside.
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