John George, Semenova Ekaterina A, Mohamed Dana Amr, Georges Abi Antoun Tiffany, Yusupov Rinat A, Ahmetov Ildus I
Transform Specialist Medical Centre, Dubai 119190, United Arab Emirates.
Research Institute of Physical Culture and Sport, Volga Region State University of Physical Culture, Sport and Tourism, 420138 Kazan, Russia.
Sports (Basel). 2025 May 30;13(6):170. doi: 10.3390/sports13060170.
Air pollution is an escalating global concern with significant implications for human health and athletic performance. This narrative review synthesizes and critically compares the current literature on the impact of air pollution on health and football performance, elucidates the physiological mechanisms involved, and evaluates available mitigation strategies. Comparative studies consistently demonstrate that football players-who frequently engage in high-intensity outdoor exercise-are particularly susceptible to the harmful effects of airborne pollutants such as particulate matter (PM), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), nitrogen dioxide (NO), ozone (O), and carbon monoxide (CO). These pollutants bypass natural respiratory defenses due to increased pulmonary ventilation during exercise, reaching deeper lung regions and triggering oxidative stress, inflammation, and impaired lung function. Evidence across studies indicates that poor air quality is associated with decreased football performance, including reduced distance covered, fewer high-intensity efforts, elevated physiological strain, and diminished training adaptation. Long-term exposure exacerbates respiratory conditions, suppresses immune function, and heightens the risk of illness and injury. Furthermore, comparative genetic research highlights inter-individual variability in pollution sensitivity, with specific gene variants conferring either increased vulnerability or resilience to adverse effects. This review also explores practical and emerging mitigation strategies-such as timing training to avoid peak pollution, utilizing air quality monitoring and antioxidant-rich diets, and promoting sustainable infrastructure-to safeguard athlete health and optimize performance. Novel approaches including respiratory training, anti-smog masks, indoor sessions, and personalized recovery protocols offer additional protection and recovery support.
空气污染是一个日益严重的全球问题，对人类健康和运动表现有着重大影响。这篇叙述性综述综合并批判性地比较了当前关于空气污染对健康和足球运动表现影响的文献，阐明了其中涉及的生理机制，并评估了现有的缓解策略。比较研究一致表明，经常进行高强度户外运动的足球运动员特别容易受到空气中污染物的有害影响，如颗粒物（PM）、挥发性有机化合物（VOCs）、二氧化氮（NO）、臭氧（O）和一氧化碳（CO）。由于运动期间肺通气增加，这些污染物绕过了天然的呼吸道防御机制，到达肺部更深区域，引发氧化应激、炎症和肺功能受损。各项研究的证据表明，空气质量差与足球运动表现下降有关，包括跑动距离减少、高强度动作减少、生理压力增加以及训练适应性降低。长期暴露会加剧呼吸道疾病，抑制免疫功能，并增加患病和受伤的风险。此外，比较遗传学研究突出了个体对污染敏感性的差异，特定的基因变异会使人对不良反应的易感性增加或恢复力增强。本综述还探讨了实际的和新兴的缓解策略，如安排训练时间以避免污染高峰、利用空气质量监测和富含抗氧化剂的饮食，以及推广可持续基础设施，以保障运动员健康并优化运动表现。包括呼吸训练、防雾霾口罩、室内训练课程和个性化恢复方案在内的新方法提供了额外的保护和恢复支持。
