Exercise Outweighs the Risks of Air Pollution When Exercising in the City

Air pollution can be a major problem in cities and other locations. More specifically, it can impact a person's health negatively, especially when they're exercising outside. Now, researchers have discovered that the beneficial effects of exercise may actually be more important for our health than the negative effects of air pollution, in relation to the risk of premature mortality.

"Even for those living in the most polluted areas of Copenhagen, it is healthier to go for a run, a walk or to cycle to work than it is to stay inactive," said Zorana Jovanovic Andersen, one of the researchers, in a news release.

Most people are aware that physical activity can reduce the risk of premature mortality, while air pollution increases its risk. Physical activity, though, also amplifies respiratory intake and accumulation of air pollutants in our lungs. This may increase the harmful effects of air pollution during exercise.

"Air pollution is often perceived as a barrier to exercise in urban areas," said Andersen. "In the face of an increasing health burden due to rising physical inactivity and obesity in modern societies, our findings provide support for efforts in promoting exercise, even in urban areas with high pollution."

The researchers conducted a population-based, prospective cohort study where they examined both the effects of physical activity and air pollution on mortality. The volunteers reported on their physical leisure activities, including sports, cycling to/from work and gardening and walking. The researchers then estimated air pollution levels from traffic at their residential addresses.

So what did they find? It turns out that about 20 percent fewer deaths occurred among those that exercised than among those who didn't.

"It is also important to note that these results pertain to Denmark and sites with similar air pollution levels, and may not necessarily be true in cities with several fold higher air pollution levels, as seen in other parts of the world," said Andersen."

The findings are published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives.

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