Associations between air pollution and cardio-respiratory physiological measures in older adults exercising outdoors

Effects of Air Pollution on the Health of Older Adults during Physical Activities: Mapping Review

Atmospheric pollutants present environmental threats to health and have been investigated in different environments, such as highways, squares, parks, and gyms. These environments are frequented by older adults, who are considered fragile to the harmful impacts of pollution present in the air. The aim was to analyze the state of the art on the effects of air pollution on the health of older adults during physical activities (PAs) through a mapping review. The search was performed in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cinahl databases until June 2022. Of the 10,109 studies initially identified, 58 met the inclusion criteria. The most investigated health outcome was cardiovascular disease, followed by respiratory outcomes. Particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and ozone (O3) were the most investigated pollutants. Of the 75 health outcomes investigated, in 29, air pollution had harmful effects on the health of the older adults during the practice of PA, more frequently in cardiovascular diseases. In 25 outcomes, the beneficial effects of PA to the health of the older adults remained, despite exposure to high and low concentrations of pollutants, most often in terms of mental disorders. We conclude that poor air quality is a harmful factor for the health of older adults during the practice of PAs, more frequently in cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. On the other hand, for mental-health-related outcomes (depression and cognition), in most studies, the beneficial effects of PA in older adults were maintained, even after exposure to pollutants.

Personal strategies to mitigate the effects of air pollution exposure during sport and exercise: a narrative review and position statement by the Canadian Academy of Sport and Exercise Medicine and the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology

Air pollution is among the leading environmental threats to health around the world today, particularly in the context of sports and exercise. With the effects of air pollution, pollution episodes (eg, wildfire conflagrations) and climate change becoming increasingly apparent to the general population, so have their impacts on sport and exercise. As such, there has been growing interest in the sporting community (ie, athletes, coaches, and sports science and medicine team members) in practical personal-level actions to reduce the exposure to and risk of air pollution. Limited evidence suggests the following strategies may be employed: minimising all exposures by time and distance, monitoring air pollution conditions for locations of interest, limiting outdoor exercise, using acclimation protocols, wearing N95 face masks and using antioxidant supplementation. The overarching purpose of this position statement by the Canadian Academy of Sport and Exercise Medicine and the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology is to detail the current state of evidence and provide recommendations on implementing these personal strategies in preventing and mitigating the adverse health and performance effects of air pollution exposure during exercise while recognising the limited evidence base.

Alternation of nasopharyngeal microbiota in healthy youth is associated with environmental factors: implication for respiratory diseases

The nasopharynx is a key niche of the upper respiratory tract which contains many commensal bacteria and potential pathogens. Dysbiosis of the nasopharyngeal (NP) microbiota is associated with a variety of respiratory diseases. Little is known about NP flora in healthy youth, nor about its relationship with environmental factors. We characterized NP microbiota using the 16S rRNA gene sequencing method, and compared microbial composition from subjects sampled in Spring and Fall when exposed to different environmental factors. Results showed that beta diversity was significantly different. Phyla Acidobacteria, Gemmatimonadetes, and genus Symbiobacterium were positively associated with PM_2.5. Genera Streptococcus, Prevotella, and [Prevotella] were positively correlated with temperature (T). Ozone (O₃) was associated with these floras for exposure that occurred 30 days prior to collection. These preliminary data suggest that the change in environmental factors between spring and fall can influence the composition of the NP microbiota, characterized by a significant correlation to specific taxa. These changes in NP microbiota might be a potential risk factor for respiratory disease.

Risk and Resilience: How Is the Health of Older Adults and Immigrant People Living in Canada Impacted by Climate- and Air Pollution-Related Exposures?

BACKGROUND

In the rapidly shifting Canadian climate, an ageing population, and increased migration, a greater understanding of how local climate and air pollution hazards impact older adults and immigrant populations will be necessary for mitigating and adapting to adverse health impacts.

OBJECTIVES

To explore the reported health impacts of climate change and air pollution exposures in older adults and immigrant people living in Canada, identify known factors influencing risk and resilience in these populations and gaps in the literature.

METHODS

We searched for research focused on older adults and immigrants living in Canada, published from 2010 onward, where the primary exposures were related to climate or air pollution. We extracted data on setting, exposures, health outcomes, and other relevant contextual factors.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

We identified 52 eligible studies, most focused in Ontario and Quebec. Older people in Canada experience health risks due to climate and air pollution exposures. The extent of the risk depends on multiple factors. We found little information about the climate- and air pollution-related health impacts experienced by immigrant communities.

CONCLUSIONS

Further research about climate- and air pollution-related exposures, health, and which factors promote or reduce resiliency in Canada's older adults and immigrant communities is necessary.