Now that it’s stopped snowing and the weather is finally warming up, more of us are choosing to work up a sweat outside instead of exercising indoors.
With Mother’s Day happening this coming Sunday, what better way to spend time with one’s family than by heading outdoors for some exercise and family fun? But with more people getting sick again these days, it’s even more important than ever to stay healthy and keep our lungs clear at the same time.
People participating in exercise and sports breathe more deeply and rapidly than they do when they are at rest. Any kind of exertion above a moderate walking pace draws more air into our lungs. However, along with pesky viruses, this also allows more air pollution to enter our lungs. This puts those who are active at greater risk of irritating their lungs when air quality is poor.
That’s why it’s important to consider outdoor air quality when making decisions about exercising or playing sports outside for an extended period of time.
The Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) is a scale designed to help you understand what the quality of the air around you means to your health. It’s an extremely useful tool developed by health and environmental professionals to communicate the health risks posed by air pollution.
The tool is designed to help individuals and teams or organizations doing outdoor activities make decisions to protect your health and the environment such as:
• limiting your exposure to air pollution;
• adjusting your activity during episodes of increased air pollution and favouring physical activity on days when the index is lower; and
• reducing your personal contribution to air pollution (e.g. by choosing active transportation).
The index provides specific advice to the general public, as well as for people who are especially vulnerable to the effects of outdoor air pollution. Vulnerable people include small children, pregnant people, seniors, people who work outdoors, people with lung or heart conditions, and people who exercise or play sports outdoors.
If the AQHI is between four and six, be sure to reduce the intensity of your activities. Consider rescheduling if the AQHI is seven or more.
Whether you’re a sporting-event organizer, a participant on a sports team or are just getting out on your own, be sure to consult the index before and during an event, as levels may change quickly.
Learn more at airhealth.ca
— News Canada
