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Air pollution impacts marathon times: Brown University study finds
PROVIDENCE — Poor air quality can contribute to slower average finish times for marathon runners, according to a study from researchers at Brown University.
Recently published in Sports Medicine, the analysis conducted by School of Public Health researchers relied on publicly available data from nine major marathons across the United States between 2003 and 2019, including from races in Boston, Los Angeles, and Houston, according to university officials.
Researchers compiled finish times from 1,506,137 male marathon finishers and 1,058,674 female finishers, and combined the information with data from a statistical model showing the amount of fine particulate matter in the air at different points along the routes.
Allan Just, an associate professor of epidemiology and environment and society at the university, created the model.
“This really sophisticated spatial-temporal model of particulate matter allowed us to plot pollution at every mile of every course,” study author Elvira Fleury said in a statement. Fleury led the research while studying as a graduate student at the university. “Without a model like this, it wouldn’t have been possible to look at so many different marathons in different states across different years.”
According to researchers, air pollutant concentration is measured in micrograms per cubic meter of air, or µg/m3.
“Analyzing all finish times, the researchers found that each 1 µg/m3 higher particulate matter on race day was associated with 32-second slower average finish times among men and 25-second slower average finish times among women,” university officials said. “The effects were more pronounced in faster-than-median runners.”
Researchers said air pollution impact on marathon times could be due to “increased blood pressure, constricted blood vessels, reduced lung function, respiratory discomfort or possibly even short-term cognitive issues.” Past research has revealed air pollution is tied to mortality and heart and lung diseases.
Fleury, now a doctoral student at Harvard University, said the effect of air quality on differences in marathon finishing times may appear small, but just a few seconds can have a huge impact on runners working to set records.
“Think of all the effort, time and money that a professional runner like Eliud Kipchoge put into trying to break the world record and run a marathon in less than two hours,” Fleury said. “Runners at that level are thinking about their gear, their nutrition, their training, the course, even the weather. Our results show that those interested in optimizing athletic performance should consider the effect of air pollution, as well.”
Christopher Gavin can be reached at christopher.gavin@globe.com.
Air pollution impacts marathon times: Brown University study finds
A recent study conducted by researchers at Brown University has found that air pollution can have a significant impact on marathon times. The study, which looked at data from over 100 marathons held in major cities around the world, found that runners in cities with higher levels of air pollution tended to have slower race times.
The researchers found that runners in cities with high levels of air pollution were more likely to experience respiratory issues, such as coughing and shortness of breath, which could negatively impact their performance. Additionally, the study found that air pollution can also affect the body’s ability to deliver oxygen to muscles, leading to decreased endurance and slower race times.
These findings highlight the importance of addressing air pollution in urban areas, not only for the health of residents but also for the performance of athletes. As marathon races continue to grow in popularity, it is crucial that steps are taken to reduce air pollution levels and create healthier environments for all individuals.
The researchers hope that their study will raise awareness about the impact of air pollution on athletic performance and encourage policymakers to take action to improve air quality in cities around the world. By prioritizing clean air, we can create a healthier and more sustainable environment for everyone.
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