Megan Au

Das, P., & Chatterjee, P. (2015). Aerobic capacity and hematological response to exercise: A
study on school-going regularly exercising boys in two different air pollution zones.
Journal of Exercise Science & Fitness, 13(22), 99-103.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jesf.2015.08.001

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to evaluate how similar climactic characteristics, but
different concentrations of air pollutants affects exercise, aerobic power, and hematological
profile among regularly exercising school-going boys.

Methods

Forty boys, ages 14-16, participated in this study. All participants were healthy,
nonsmoking, had no history of chronic medication use or diseases, and participated in scheduled
physical activity at least three times a week. Height and weight were all measured, which were
relatively similar. Tollygunge and Sonarpur, in West Bengal, India were selected as the two
different zones used to compare high air pollution levels to low air pollution levels. Air quality in
these two zones had been continuously monitored for 3 months prior to the study, analyzing
particulate matter, sulfur dioxide levels, and nitrogen dioxide levels.

Exercise testing included a shuttle run test assessment. The shuttle run consisted of
running back and forth on a 20 m course in accordance with a sound signal dictating the pace.
The participants followed this pace until they could no longer keep up. Their last stage was used
to predict their VO2max levels. Venous blood samples were also taken immediately after each
run test. Red blood cell count, white blood cell count, packed cell volume, hemoglobin
concentration, mean corpuscular volume, and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentrations were
analyzed. Each participant completed a shuttle run test in both the low air pollution zone and the
high air pollution zone, separated by a 7 day interval.

Results

The air quality assessment showed that Tollygunge resulted in higher levels of all air
quality parameters (particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide). Tollygunge was
selected as the high air pollution zone and Sonarpur was selected as the low air pollution zone.
The exercise testing done in the high air pollution zone resulted in significantly lower levels of
aerobic power and hematological profiles. After testing in the higher air pollution zone, the mean
VO2max level was 50.32 ml/kg/min, while the mean VO2max level was 53.91 ml/kg/min. Red
blood cell count, packed cell volume, and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentrations were
also significantly lower after testing in the high air pollution zone than in the low air pollution
zone. Although, white blood cell count and mean corpuscular volume were seen to be
significantly higher in the high air pollution zone compared to the low air pollution zone.

Conclusion
 Air pollution can negatively affect aerobic capacity and hematological characteristics
during exercise. Performing exercise in an area with higher amounts of air pollution can result in
significantly lower VO2max levels, red blood cell count, cell volume, and mean corpuscular
hemoglobin concentrations. These decreased levels can indicate reductions in cardiovascular and
pulmonary function, which could lead to the risk of acquiring cardiovascular or respiratory
diseases. Although, the increase in white blood cell count and mean corpuscular volume suggests
that the increased contact with air pollutants, specifically the tissue damaging effects of
particulate matter, could be due to a rise of antibody production and the strengthening of the
immune system to reduce the effects of those inhaled pollutants. Prolonged or continuous
exercise in high air polluted areas should be limited to preserve cardiovascular and respiratory
health.

Strengths and Weaknesses

This study was very straightforward and organized. Variables such as timing of the study,
location, and environment were well thought out and controlled. However the study was limited
to a specific age range that did not incorporate a diverse group of participants and only consisted
of a single bout of exercise in each area. The study also did not go into much detail to describe
the implications of the measured variables in the methods section, as well as the variable results.

Practical Applications

The findings of this study provide information regarding the effects air pollution has on
the body in only a single bout of exercise. This study suggests that higher air pollution levels can
cause negative effects on the hematological profile and aerobic capacity of trained boys, which
could be of clinical importance for further research regarding athletes or physically active
individuals of other ages and health status.