Air Pollution and Its Impact on Health and Performance in Football Players

John, G, Semenova, EA, Mohamed, DA, Georges Abi Antoun, T, Yusupov, RA and Ahmetov, II (2025) Air Pollution and Its Impact on Health and Performance in Football Players. Sports, 13 (6).

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Abstract

Air pollution is an escalating global concern with significant implications for human health and athletic performance. This narrative review synthesizes and critically compares the current literature on the impact of air pollution on health and football performance, elucidates the physiological mechanisms involved, and evaluates available mitigation strategies. Comparative studies consistently demonstrate that football players—who frequently engage in high-intensity outdoor exercise—are particularly susceptible to the harmful effects of airborne pollutants such as particulate matter (PM), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), ozone (O3), and carbon monoxide (CO). These pollutants bypass natural respiratory defenses due to increased pulmonary ventilation during exercise, reaching deeper lung regions and triggering oxidative stress, inflammation, and impaired lung function. Evidence across studies indicates that poor air quality is associated with decreased football performance, including reduced distance covered, fewer high-intensity efforts, elevated physiological strain, and diminished training adaptation. Long-term exposure exacerbates respiratory conditions, suppresses immune function, and heightens the risk of illness and injury. Furthermore, comparative genetic research highlights inter-individual variability in pollution sensitivity, with specific gene variants conferring either increased vulnerability or resilience to adverse effects. This review also explores practical and emerging mitigation strategies—such as timing training to avoid peak pollution, utilizing air quality monitoring and antioxidant-rich diets, and promoting sustainable infrastructure—to safeguard athlete health and optimize performance. Novel approaches including respiratory training, anti-smog masks, indoor sessions, and personalized recovery protocols offer additional protection and recovery support.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	1106 Human Movement and Sports Sciences; 4207 Sports science and exercise
Subjects:	R Medicine > RC Internal medicine > RC1200 Sports Medicine
Divisions:	Sport and Exercise Sciences
Publisher:	MDPI
Date of acceptance:	29 May 2025
Date of first compliant Open Access:	5 June 2025
Date Deposited:	05 Jun 2025 11:56
Last Modified:	05 Jun 2025 12:15
DOI or ID number:	10.3390/sports13060170
URI:	https://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/id/eprint/26526

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