ELITE SPORTS MEDICINE BOX 1: MINIMISING THE EFFECTS OF AIR POLLUTION

■ Exercise early in the morning or in the evening ■ Avoid congested streets ■ Exercise in windy areas ■ If you have asthma or exercise induced asth- ma consult your doctor regarding appropriate medication to use prior to exercise

■ Nasal breathing and using carbon impregnated masks can reduce the amount of pollution entering the lungs

■ Postpone exercise if you are experiencing symptoms such as cough, chest pain, difficulty in breathing, headache and eye irritation

is a signal for the initiation of inflammation. Although the lung has antioxidant defence mechanisms, comprising such antioxidants as uric acid, ascorbic acid and glutathione, these can be depleted with high oxidative stress caused by pollutants, particularly during exer- cise (12). Therefore, dietary antioxidant supplementation may pro- tect against pollution induced pulmonary function impairment.

Conclusions Pollution results in reduced lung function and exercise performance. These detrimental effects may be worst in asthmatics and exercise- induced asthmatics. A number of strategies may be employed to ameliorate the effects of pollution on lung function including exer- cising in early morning/late evening in windy areas, antioxidant supplementation and acclimatisation.

THE AUTHOR

Dr Greg Whyte is the national director of science and innovation for the English Institute of Sport. Greg completed his sports science degree at Brunel University and went to the USA to complete an MSc in human performance. He returned to the UK to complete his PhD and was appointed research manager at the British Olympic Medical Centre. His work covered research in all fields of physiology, psychol- ogy, medicine, physiotherapy, nutrition and biomechanics/notational analysis. Greg is director of CRY Centre for Sports Cardiology and has worked as consultant physiologist to a large number of Olympic and professional sports. He has published extensively in the field of sports science and medicine. Greg.whyte@eis2win.co.uk

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