Air Pollution Slows Women's Marathon Times (HealthDay)

SATURDAY, March 13 (HealthDay News) -- Running a marathon is

challenging enough, but now new research shows that the performance of

female marathoners can be hindered by a certain type of air pollution.

Researchers analyzed marathon race results, weather data and air

pollution concentrations in seven major U.S. marathons over a period of

eight to 28 years. They found that higher levels of air pollution

particles were associated with slower finish times for women. Air

pollution levels didn't appear to have a significant impact on men, the

study authors noted.

"Although pollution levels in these marathons rarely exceeded national

standards for air quality, performance was still affected," study author

Linsey Marr said in a news release from the American College of Sports

Medicine.

That's because of marathoners' breathing patterns, Marr explained.

"Previous research has shown that during a race, marathon runners

inhale and exhale about the same volume of air as a sedentary person would

over the course of two full days. Therefore, runners are exposed to much

greater amounts of pollutants than under typical breathing conditions,"

Marr said.

The researchers looked at a number of other air pollution components --

such as carbon monoxide, ozone, nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide -- but

found that only particulate matter affected the performance of female

marathoners.

The study findings are published in the March issue of the journal

Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise.

More information

The U.S. National Women's Health Information Center has more about pollution and women's health.

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