Air Pollutants Reduce the Physical Activity of Professional Soccer Players

Michał Zacharko, Robert Cichowicz, Marcin Andrzejewski, Paweł Chmura, Edward Kowalczuk, Jan Chmura and Marek Konefał
Additional contact information
Michał Zacharko: Department of Biological and Motor Sport Bases, University School of Physical Education, 51-612 Wroclaw, Poland
Robert Cichowicz: Faculty of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Lodz University of Technology, 90-924 Lodz, Poland
Marcin Andrzejewski: Department of Recreation, Poznan University of Physical Education, 61-871 Poznan, Poland
Paweł Chmura: Department of Biological and Motor Sport Bases, University School of Physical Education, 51-612 Wroclaw, Poland
Edward Kowalczuk: Football Club Hannover 96, 30169 Hannover, Germany
Jan Chmura: Department of Biological and Motor Sport Bases, University School of Physical Education, 51-612 Wroclaw, Poland
Marek Konefał: Department of Biological and Motor Sport Bases, University School of Physical Education, 51-612 Wroclaw, Poland

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 24, 1-10

Abstract: The aim of the study was to determine the impact of air quality—analyzed on the basis of the model of integrating three types of air pollutants (ozone, O 3 ; particulate matter, PM; nitrogen dioxide, NO 2 )—on the physical activity of soccer players. Study material consisted of 8927 individual match observations of 461 players competing in the German Bundesliga during the 2017/2018 and 2018/2019 domestic seasons. The measured indices included players’ physical activities: total distance (TD) and high-intensity effort (HIE). Statistical analysis showed that with increasing levels of air pollution, both TD (F = 13.900(3); p = 0.001) and HIE (F = 8.060(3); p = 0.001) decrease significantly. The worsening of just one parameter of air pollution results in a significant reduction in performance. This is important information as air pollution is currently a considerable problem for many countries. Improving air quality during training sessions and sports competitions will result in better well-being and sporting performance of athletes and will also help protect athletes from negative health effects caused by air pollution.

Keywords: football; Bundesliga; distances covered; high intensity; O 3; PM; NO 2; air quality (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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