Regular running in an air-polluted environment: physiological and anthropometric protocol for a prospective cohort study (Healthy Aging in Industrial Environment Study – Program 4)

Abstract

IntroductionAmbient air pollution is a global environmental problem, which causes adverse health effects and premature deaths worldwide. Although regular exercise and physical activity have evident health benefits, the influence of long-term air pollution exposure during regular outdoor running has not been definitively clarified.Methods and analysisThis study protocol describes the physiological and anthropometric perspectives of the ‘Healthy Aging in Industrial Environment’ Study – Programme 4 (4HAIE). The 4HAIE research project is intended to be a single-centre, prospective, longitudinal and multidisciplinary cohort study. The presented study protocol describes the cross-sectional measurements and analyses. Overall, 1500 adult participants (age 18–65 years), runners and inactive individuals, living in a high or low air-polluted area of the Czech Republic will be recruited. We will measure and analyse biomarkers of oxidative stress and inflammation in the blood, exercise capacity (graded exercise test and spiroergometry), blood pressure, lung function (spirometry), cardiac autonomic regulation and anthropometry (body composition).Ethics and disseminationThe 4HAIE study protocol has already been approved by the Ethics Committee of the University of Ostrava (3/2018). A detailed participant information sheet will be provided to each individual prior to obtaining their written informed consent. The study poses little to no risk to participants. The findings of this study will be disseminated at regional and international conferences, in peer-reviewed journals and via social and broadcast media.

Physical activity and menopausal symptoms: evaluating the contribution of obesity, fitness, and ambient air pollution status

“…The details of the 4HAIE study protocol have been published elsewhere 67‐69 . Briefly, the 4HAIE study included baseline laboratory assessments, 12 months of prospective monitoring of PA and four intensive 2-week measurement bursts with ecological momentary assessment methodology assessing contextual and psychosocial correlates of PA.…”

“…The details of the 4HAIE study protocol have been published elsewhere. [67][68][69] Briefly, the 4HAIE study included baseline laboratory assessments, 12 months of prospective monitoring of PA and four intensive 2-week measurement bursts with ecological momentary assessment methodology assessing contextual and psychosocial correlates of PA. In this investigation, data from the first 2-week intensive measurement burst are used to examine prospectively the day-to-day associations between PA and menopausal symptoms.…”

Regular Running Is Related to the Knee Joint Cartilage Structure in Healthy Adults

“…This study is part of a cohort study (Healthy Ageing in Industrial Environment (4HAIE); www.4haie.cz) of runners and inactive population aged 18-65 yr. The 4HAIE study investigated the relationship of air pollution to the incidence of sports injuries, physical activity-related injuries, physical (in) activity, health, and quality of life across the life span (18)(19)(20).…”

The Effect of Regular Physical Activity on Muscle and Adipose Tissue in Premenopausal Women

“…The classification criteria were the following: a group of active "runners" (regular running in the last six weeks, at least 10 km per week) and a group of "inactive" individuals who did not meet the public recommendations on physical activity (i.e., who performed fewer than 150 min of physical activity at moderate or vigorous intensity) were recruited in each region [22]. A detailed protocol of functional and morphological measurements was described in Cipryan et al [25]. Nine women were excluded due to incomplete data or outlying values, resulting in a sample of n = 136.…”