Fitness School
Do you know the right answer?.
Question number 21 in our School of Fitness.
Doing the daily grind behind a healthy fit life will always continue to do wonders for our well being and physical health in body and mind.
But air pollution is another key factor that is greatly influencing our wellbeing and longterm health. And how do these two modern-day pillars clash and collide?
Will living in heavy air polluted cities flat out destroy all the health benefits you should be reaping thanks to your daily fitness regime?.
2050AD
[ Oceans run the risk of having more total weight of plastic than fish.]

Make up your mind, and once you have made your pick click the "And the Correct Answer is" label down below to reveal the right one.
1.
No, not flat out ruin all of it. But I sure do wish that my city would take air pollution serious because it absolutely cannot be good for me.
2.
I dont care about air pollution and fossil fuel issues and I do not think it impacts my health at all.
And if you even considered option 2, I have in that case some majorly bad news for you dear reader.
If you care about your health and wellbeing, then its time to push your city towards clean air and fossil fuel free city living because no matter the amount of time you spend in the gym and no matter how much you vet your food choices, air pollution will take a giant toll on your health and perpetually reduce the health benefits of your training.
Not all is lost mind you.
You will still be way healthier thanks to working out and eating healthy food versus not doing it, but working out in a city with clean nonpolluted air will always be way, way better for you.
You can of course also opt to do your daily walk in whatever green areas your city has since the impact of air pollution should be less in those areas.
Still, a recent study from London showcased that heavy air polluted streets almost ( but not entirely ) completely negated the health benefits of a 2-hour walk in that London area for people above 60 years of age.
And equally importantly, the same participants experienced much bigger health benefits doing the same walk in Londons Hyde Park Green area where the air pollution is significantly much lower.
You can find a link to the study down below.
And do not forget to start working your municipality towards a healthy, air pollution free life.
Doing so will benefit your and everybody else's health too and in turn make the benefits of a healthy fit life much bigger, and that simple fact is why fitness & sustainability will always walk hand in hand, what is good for your own health & well being is what is good for the general public health too. Clean up the city air and reap instant and lifelong health benefits right away.
Quote
"In all participants, irrespective of their disease status, walking in ( the clean green area ) Hyde Park led to an increase in lung function volume and forced vital capacity and a decrease in pulse wave velocity and augmentation index up to 26 h after the walk. By contrast, these beneficial responses were attenuated after walking on Oxford Street."
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Related article, city air pollution vs health benefits of walking.
The Lancet.
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