Fuzzy

posted: 12/10/2012 at 10:36 AM
modified: 12/10/2012 at 10:36 AM

Another reason why I run and don't jog. Wink And "studies" like this always make me smile.

Urban jogging may be making you dumber

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/50109534/ns/health-mens_health/#.UMYAIoOdPUA

"Dodging traffic and weaving through crowds aren't the only obstacles urbanites face when trying to take their workout to the streets. New research in Belgium shows that people who live in a city and exercise outdoors have higher levels of inflammation and lower scores on cognitive tests than those who exercise outside in the suburbs.

Study participants were split into two groups: Fifteen in an urban location, and nine in a rural environment. Both groups alternated walking and running 3 days a week from noon to 1 p.m. over a 12-week period.

Researchers then gave the subjects a test to measure their response time and attention span. The findings: High levels of air pollution in the city prevented participants from gaining exercise-induced cognitive benefits such as brain plasticity (the ability for the brain to change when presented with new knowledge), comprehension, and mental health. The urban group also had significantly higher blood levels of some inflammation markers.

What's the deal? Inflammation in the brain may cause mental problems, researchers believe. Luckily, the body has a strong recovery mechanism and inflammation can disappear over time, says Romain Meeusen, Ph.D., FACSM, head of the department of Human Physiology and Sports Medicine at Vrije Universiteit Brussel in Belgium. And exercising is always better than staying sedentary.

To make sure pollution isn't ruining your health, use Meeusen's tips before you head outside.

1. Brave rain and wind. These climates blow the fine particles away so you're not left inhaling them.
2. Avoid rush hour. The more cars, the more pollution from exhaust fumes.
3. Head to the park. The more trees between you and the road, the better."

PRs: Marathon (2:55:08; '11) Half (1:21:14; '12) 10k (36:28; '11) 5k (17:48; '11)

KayPS

@runjerseygirl

posted: 12/10/2012 at 10:40 AM

This makes me want to throw a brick at someone.

Do you even run?

ignoredelete

posted: 12/10/2012 at 10:43 AM

Uhh, what? LOL. I am pretty sure people who jog in suburbia are exposed to more gas emissions on their street than I am in Central Park.

happylily

posted: 12/10/2012 at 10:44 AM

There's a reason why the French like to make jokes about the Belgians... :-)

PRs: Boston Marathon, 3:27, April 15th 2013

Cornwall Half-Marathon, 1:35, April 27th 2013

wcrunner2

Middle Distance Runner

posted: 12/10/2012 at 10:50 AM

Quote from happylily on 12/10/2012 at 10:44 AM:

There's a reason why the French like to make jokes about the Belgians... :-)

I think I'd waffle on that issue.

2013 Goals: Mile - 7:45 (SB 7:53.74); Run first ultra marathon (Sep 21)

Buelligan

posted: 12/10/2012 at 10:52 AM

I used to do most of my running in metro-Atlanta. I never had much of a problem with the air there, but it's so much better where I live now.

catwhoorg

Labrat

posted: 12/10/2012 at 10:55 AM

With no 'before' control that I can see, how does this eliminate the possibility that urban living (no matter the state of exercising) is the cause ?

5K 23:21* (Vdot 41.53) 10/13/12

10K 51:48 (Vdot 38.39) 7/15/12

HM 1:48:20 (Vdot 41.07) 11/10//12

FM 4:28:33 (Vdot 33.01) 11/12/11

*Gun time, all others are chip time

Fuzzy

posted: 12/10/2012 at 10:58 AM

Quote from catwhoorg on 12/10/2012 at 10:55 AM:

With no 'before' control that I can see, how does this eliminate the possibility that urban living (no matter the state of exercising) is the cause ?

Please stop with this nonsense line of reasoning. You'll ruin their "study".

PRs: Marathon (2:55:08; '11) Half (1:21:14; '12) 10k (36:28; '11) 5k (17:48; '11)

Awood_Runner

Smaller By The Day

posted: 12/10/2012 at 11:10 AM

Do we know where the researchers exercise?

2012 Races

Blueberry Stomp 5K (9/12) - 31:02

Feel The Learn 5K (10/12) - 26:58

Indianapolis Monumental HM (11/12) - 2:03:56

Run For The Heart 5K (12/12) - 25:48:48

2013 Races

Valpo Valentine's Day 5K (2/13) - 24:45:08

Chi Town HM (3/24/13) - 01:54:07.2

Dart For The Arts 10K (4/13/13) - 48:59

Indianapolis Monumental Marathon (11/02/13) -

kaitlinruns

posted: 12/10/2012 at 11:29 AM

If running in pollution makes you dumber, and I run in Beijing...

Yep, it all makes sense now Joking

Auhugh!!

Gustav1

Danger makes me hungry

posted: 12/10/2012 at 12:12 PM

So when I commute to work everyday and breathe in exhaust fumes sitting in traffic, is my brain's plasticity being affected? I need to quit my job and run thru the woods with a cool breeze blowing!

Moving forward one step at a time :-)

Little Blue