Get started
Work

Health effects of traffic-related air pollution and physical activity: A real-world exposure experimental study

Year: 2015
Type: dissertation
Abstract: Exposure to traffic-related air pollution (TRAP) has been associated with adverse health outcomes. Physical activity (PA) in polluted air may increase pollutant uptake and hence affect health. The main aim of this thesis is to determine the short-term health effects of TRAP in healthy participants and any possible modifying effect of PA. A crossover real-world exposure study was conducted which compared in 28 healthy participants lung, systemic, and blood pressure responses to four different exposure scenarios: two hours of exposure in a high and low TRAP environment, each at rest and in combination with intermittent moderate PA, that comprised alternating 15-minute rest and cycling intervals. The data was analysed by using mixed effect models for repeated measures. High levels of TRAP induced airway and systemic inflammatory responses, as well as increased blood pressure. Physical activity improved lung function and attenuated the blood pressure increase. Physical activity in high levels of TRAP also induced lung and systemic inflammation, and decreased the circulating levels of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). The short-term exposure to TRAP is associated with adverse health effects. Physical activity has beneficial effects on health, even when performed in high levels of TRAP. The clinical meaning of the decreases in BDNF as a response to the intermitted physical activity in the experimental setting and the more habitual physical activity in daily life remains unclear. This study also suggests that the health effects of traffic-related air pollution and physical activity are predominantly independent in high levels of TRAP.
Language: English
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2802602181
Cites: 41
Cited by:
Related to: 10