The Role of Exercise Training Type in Modulating Lung Function Responses to Air Pollution Exposure

Background & objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effects of aerobic and anaerobic exercises on lung function indices when performed in polluted air. Specifically, it sought to compare the immediate and delayed responses of key lung function parameters, including Forced Expiratory Volume in the first second (FEV۱), Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), and Forced Expiratory Flow between ۲۵% and ۷۵% of FVC (FEF۲۵-۷۵%), in individuals exposed to polluted versus clean air. Materials and Methods: In a quasi-experimental design, ۲۰ healthy male participants were randomly assigned to either an experimental group or a control group. The experimental group performed one session of aerobic exercise on a stationary bicycle in a polluted air environment, followed by a three-week break, and then completed one session of anaerobic exercise under the same conditions. The control group performed identical exercises in clean air. Lung function tests were conducted at three time points: before exercise, immediately after exercise (first post-test), and ۲۴ hours after exercise (second post-test). Results: Aerobic exercise in polluted air led to significant reductions in FEV۱, FVC, and FEF۲۵-۷۵% both immediately after exercise and ۲۴ hours later. Anaerobic exercise in polluted air also resulted in significant decreases in FVC and FEF۲۵-۷۵% at both post-test time points, but the reduction in FEV۱ was only significant immediately after exercise. Notably, the decline in lung function indices was more pronounced following aerobic exercise compared to anaerobic exercise. Specifically, FEV۱ and FEF۲۵-۷۵% showed greater reductions in both post-tests after aerobic exercise, while FEV۱/FVC was significantly lower only in the second post-test following aerobic exercise. Conclusion: The findings indicate that aerobic exercise in polluted air has a more detrimental impact on lung function compared to anaerobic exercise. While both types of exercise led to reductions in lung function indices, the effects were more severe and persistent after aerobic exercise. These results suggest that individuals exercising in polluted environments may benefit from choosing anaerobic activities over aerobic ones to minimize respiratory health risks.

کلیدواژه ها:

Aerobic exercise ، Anaerobic exercise ، Air pollution ، Lung function ، FEV۱ ، FVC ، FEF۲۵-۷۵%