Is frequent jogging in the cities a health risk?

In the city jogging a health risk?

Many people use running or jogging to integrate a little fitness into their everyday lives. But in view of the massive air pollution in some major cities, the question arises as to whether health may be more damaging than jogging. Experts of the German respiratory league inform in the context of the German lung day about the dangers for the lung with high air pollution.

"Thick air - danger to the lungs" is the motto of this year's Lungentag. Throughout Germany, informative events and actions on the risks to the respiratory tract are to be provided. Here are also questions that are relevant to everyday life, such as: Should be avoided in jogging in the city because of air pollution better?

In view of the massive air pollution in some major cities, the question arises as to whether jogging can possibly be a health hazard here. (Image: VanderWolf Images / fotolia.com)

Significant air pollution in many cities

In many German cities, driving bans on diesel vehicles are already being discussed or implemented in view of the considerable air pollution. But not only road traffic pollutes the air quality, also the industry, agriculture and small combustion plants play a role, according to the German Airways league. However, car traffic and diesel engines in particular contribute significantly to nitrogen oxide (NOx) pollution. Although older diesel vehicles often release large amounts of fine dust, this is generally no longer the case with the newer models.

How harmful particulate matter, NOx and ozone are for humans is, according to the German respiratory league, sufficiently documented. Admittedly, the link between health damage and traffic emissions can only be deduced because the inhaled air is a mixture of pollutants from different sources. However, people who live on busy roads, a higher risk of disease, and automotive emissions contain the aforementioned pollutants, which is considered indicative evidence.

Increased risk of severe lung diseases

The ESCAPE project (European Study of Cohorts) is currently investigating the long-term effects of air pollutants in Europe, and the individual pollutant exposure can be calculated to provide a more accurate link between exposure and risk, the experts report. First data are already available and it has been shown that particulate matter with a particle size of 10 μm (PM10) significantly increases the risk of lung cancer. A correlation between pollutant exposure and COPD has also been confirmed. In addition, worse pulmonary function had been observed with high exposure to PM10 and NOx. "For children, the risk of asthma increased, albeit not significantly," continued the announcement of the German respiratory league.

Sport renounces in inner cities advised?

Air pollutants also favor the onset of pneumonia and a study from England has shown that lung function is worse when walking in high-stress areas, the experts explain. This suggests the assumption that in the city centers may be better to do without outdoor sports. However, the general benefits of doing sports are forgotten. The studies made it clear "that the positive effects of physical activity, the disadvantages associated with a higher exposure to air pollutants outweigh," report the German respiratory league. There are therefore good reasons to be physically active, even in areas that are burdened by road traffic. However, the possibility of training in areas of less air pollution should be given preference wherever possible.

How can the air quality be improved??

According to the experts, the limit values ​​for air pollution are often only a compromise, which should combine the desirable with the feasible. But much could be done to improve air quality. Here are cleaner engines and traffic organization measures as well as an attractive design of public transport possible measures. Even environmental zones help, according to the experts. Initial analyzes have shown that sufficiently large environmental zones actually improve air quality. In the end, "we all can also help make our air better, e.g. by leaving the car once "; so the hint of the German respiratory league. Everyone needs air to breathe and the goal must therefore be to ensure clean air for everyone and everywhere. (Fp)