With fresh air, I can play better
With the climate getting more unpredictable and our lives getting busier, more people who exercise are moving to work-out indoors to fit better in our modern lifestyles.
The importance of fresh air during exercise
Sports centers and gyms offer people a wide variety of equipment such as treadmills, weights, rowing machines, and a warmer environment than the often cold and dark outdoors. However, there are some advantages to working-out outdoors, including the benefit of fresh air.
When trying to stay healthy, the quality of air that goes into the body should be taken into consideration in the same way that we should take care over the quality of food that we eat. Studies show that exposure to polluted air can cause a significant reduction in the performance of active individuals. Athletes subjected to air pollution may suffer from diminished pulmonary capacity, impaired endurance and reduced ability to focus. Factors which can make the difference between winning and losing in a competitive environment.
Air quality in sports facilities
A recent study published in the research journal ‘Building and the Environment’ examined the indoor air quality in gyms. The researchers obtained permission from eleven gyms to install air quality monitors in both weight rooms and the exercise rooms. These devices measured air pollution for two hours in the late afternoon and evening when the gym was busy.
The researchers got alarming results when they checked the monitors. It was found that the air had high levels of formaldehyde and dust. At the same time, the carbon dioxide content of the air was well above indoor air quality standards. During evening training, these levels were highest when people were crammed into small spaces. These people were kicking up dust and breathing in large amounts of carbon dioxide. The biggest problem was formaldehyde and dust particles, as constant exposure to these components is known to cause several respiratory diseases, including asthma.
Make air quality a deciding factor
The benefits of exercise outweigh the air pollution concerns for most people but if this is going to be a building that you regularly visit and you want to get the most out of your membership, indoor air quality should be a consideration when selecting a gym.
Gym owners and leisure centre management provide essential facilities which positively contributes to the health of our communities. Ensuring that an effective ventilation system is well designed and maintained will be an added benefit to members health, performance and comfort and can make the difference to attracting and retaining customers.