Exercise is beneficial even in a polluted environment

Many recent studies suggest that endurance exercise in polluted environments can have undesirable effects on human health, but this may not be true for people accustomed to traffic-related air pollution, according to an article published by members of the Aerobic Performance Research Group at the University of São Paulo’s School of Physical Education and Sports (EEFE-USP) in Brazil.

Researchers at the University of São Paulo analyzed inflammatory markers in cyclists who trained regularly and had been exposed to traffic-related pollution. Photo: Tuvalum/Unsplash

Also called aerobic exercise, endurance exercise includes activities that strengthen breathing and heart rate, such as walking, jogging, swimming or biking.

The participants in the study were ten male recreational cyclists, most of whom regularly trained on bike paths and the university campus in São Paulo city.

The researchers found that inflammation markers in the blood of these cyclists, such as interleukins 6 and 10 (IL-6 and IL-10) were not altered.

On the other hand, they detected increased levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), associated with the benefits of exercise for neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to change and adapt in response to experience.

Based on these results, the researchers formulated the hypothesis that people who exercise in an environment with high air pollution may adapt to such conditions. (Karina Ninni/Agência FAPESP)

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