Another reason why I run and don't jog. And "studies" like this always make me smile.
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."
@runjerseygirl
This makes me want to throw a brick at someone.
Do you even run?
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.
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
18 marathons, 18 BQs since 2010
Are we there, yet?
I think I'd waffle on that issue.
2024 Races:
03/09 - Livingston Oval Ultra 6-Hour, 22.88 miles
05/11 - D3 50K 05/25 - What the Duck 12-Hour
06/17 - 6 Days in the Dome 12-Hour.
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.
Labrat
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 20:23 (Vdot 48.7) 9/9/17
10K 44:06 (Vdot 46.3) 3/11/17
HM 1:33:48 (Vdot 48.6) 11/11/17
FM 4:13:43 (Vdot 35.4) 3/4/18
Please stop with this nonsense line of reasoning. You'll ruin their "study".
Smaller By The Day
Do we know where the researchers exercise?
Improvements
Weight 100 pounds lost
5K 31:02 Sept. 2012 / 23:36 Sept. 2013 (Same Course)
10K 48:59 April 2013
HM 2:03:56 Nov. 2012 / 1:46:50 March 2013
MARATHON 3:57:33 Nov. 2013
If running in pollution makes you dumber, and I run in Beijing...
Yep, it all makes sense now
Auhugh!!
Fear is a Liar
I'm so vegetarian I don't even eat animal crackers!
My thought, too. Did they do cognitive testing before they started the 12 week study?
Barking Mad To Run
New research in Belgium
Well, right from that you can tell the research is flawed...cuz Belgium doesn't have any major cities.
"Do what you can, with what you have, where you are." Theodore Roosevelt
New research in Belgium Well, right from that you can tell the research is flawed...cuz Belgium doesn't have any major cities.
Bazinga!
Walk-Jogger
Scotty,
The fine people of Brussels would like to send you this message:
Retired & Loving It