Air Quality and Athletics Performance

Duration

2019-2020

Coordinator

Stephane Bermon (IAAF) and Paolo Emilio Adami (IAAF)

Funded by

International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF)

The study is a cross-sectional study for athletes competing in only one competition and a longitudinal study for athletes competing in International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) competitions. Athletes aged 18 and over, competing in track and field and endurance events (races) in IAAF Sanctioned Events. 

The aims of this research project are to investigate the association between athletic performance and air quality, and air pollution levels and exacerbation of respiratory and atopic diseases, among athletes over 18 years of age, competing in the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) World Athletic Series.

During the IAAF events, a stand of the Health and Science Department will be located in the training areas were volunteers will ask athletes to fill out a short questionnaire about respiratory diseases and also air quality perception. Moreover, air pollution monitoring will be conducted at the same time at the training areas and competition site. The final objective will be to associate prevalence of respiratory and atopic diseases and exacerbations of symptoms with competitions results and pollutants level.

The study is coordinated by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), with the participation of ISGlobal, Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA-CSIC) and Kunak. 

The research study is part of the IAAF’s continued pilot programme to measure air quality at stadiums around the world. The project's first air quality monitor in Asia was installed during the competition at Yokohama International Stadium on the eve of the IAAF World Relays Yokohama 2019, with the presence of IAAF President Sebastian Coe, accompanied by JAAF President and IAAF Council Member Hiroshi Yokokawa.