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California Athletic Trainers’ Association (CATA) Offers Tips to Stay Healthy When the Air Isn’t
While Olympic athletes worry about the effects of poor air quality in Bejing on their health and performance, athletes in California will have similar concerns based on disappointing new air quality results.
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August 14, 2008 (FPRC) -- SAN DIEGO – As the Olympics continue, poor air quality in Beijing still has athletes worried about the affects on their performance and their health, causing the Chinese government to instill stricter regulations to help further improve air quality.
Representing the largest attempt ever made to improve air quality, Beijing has shut down scores of heavily polluting factories and taken almost 2 million vehicles off the road in an effort to clean up the air in time for the 2008 Olympic Games.
'Air quality isn’t just a Beijing issue,' says Kelly Berardini, a California Athletic Trainers’ Association (CATA) spokesperson and certified athletic trainer at Chapman University in Orange County. 'Everyday athletes and those who must work outdoors here at home don’t have the convenience of such immediate, critical attention to pollution.'
These games have highlighted the issue of poor air quality and the effects it has on individuals frequently exposed to the elements, but Beijing isn’t the only city that has cause for concern – Californians have plenty of reason to worry as well.
Statewide, 26 of California’s 52 counties failed air quality tests (according to the 2008 American Lung Association annual air quality report card). In addition, 12 of the nation’s 25 most ozone-polluted counties are in California. Ozone, often referred to as smog, is as corrosive as acid; not ideal to breathe when playing sports or working outdoors.
A new study released by the California Air Resources Board (ARB) has found that outdoor exercise or activity during high levels of particulate matter or ozone pollution may cause otherwise healthy individuals to have decreased lung function, exacerbate asthma and even cause DNA damage. For those with pre-existing respiratory or heart ailments, the danger is even greater.
So while Olympians are taking every precaution to ensure their health in Beijing, the CATA advises athletes, active individuals, and those who work outdoors here in California to pay special attention to where and when they train, work and play outside.
Experts with the California Athletic Trainers’ Association offer the following tips for athletes of every level to stay healthy when the air quality isn’t:
• Time workouts. Train in the healthiest environment possible. That means practicing or exercising in the early morning or later in the afternoon – when the air is less dense and avoiding the morning and evening commutes.
• Take workouts inside. For sports or activities that require you to be outside, such as running, baseball, and riding a bike, the CATA advises you to head indoors during peak smog hours to do weight training, stretching or other activities instead.
• Keep exposure to a minimum. Frequent exposure to pollution can infect the body with dangerous pollutants that can affect performance and health over time. The nose acts as a natural air filter. But during strenuous activity, people often breathe through their mouth, taking in two times as much unfiltered air – meaning greater exposure to toxins. If you must exercise or work outdoors, try to keep a safe distance from exhaust-emitting cars and try to breathe through the nose.
• Monitor air quality. Anyone anywhere can monitor their city’s air quality online. Visit http://airnow.gov/ to sign up for daily air quality news alerts to stay on top of the day’s smog forecast.
• Pay attention to symptoms. Abnormal wheezing, coughing, sneezing and sniffling can be warning signs of exercise-induced asthma often caused by prolonged exposure to polluted air. A certified athletic trainer or physician can administer a pulmonary function test (PFT) to monitor breathing response and track any lung damage.
• Asthma and COPD cautions. Pollution poses a serious risk for individuals with respiratory problems, like asthma and COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) –increasing the chance of an asthma attack or worse, acute infections. Follow inhaler directions carefully before heading out and avoid peak pollution hours.
• Mask it. If you feel more comfortable wearing a mask during peak smog hours, the CATA recommends an activated carbon filter mask (ACF). They are more effective at filtering pollutants than a common surgical face mask.
'Whether you’re a professional athlete, a recreational sports enthusiast, or an employee with an outdoor workspace air quality is a concern,' said Berardini. 'As athletic trainers, we are responsible for ensuring that athletes and the active public remain healthy and injury-free. Paying attention to the air is just another part of our responsibilities.'
Certified athletic trainers are physical medicine experts accountable for every aspect of an athlete’s health. They specialize in the clinical diagnosis of acute and chronic injuries and illnesses, on-site emergency care, rehabilitation and other health care services. They work at high schools, colleges, major corporations, with professional sports teams, and in clinics and hospitals.
About the California Athletic Trainers’ Association (CATA)
The California Athletic Trainers’ Association (http://www.cata-usa.org) represents and supports 2,200 members of the athletic training profession through communication and education.
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Send an email to Jacqueline Edelman of JWalcher
(619) 295-7140
Keywords:
olympics, althete, air quality
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