Abstract

This review identifies the major pollutants that have been shown to produce physiological changes which can and may effect athletic performance. Specifically, ozone has been documented as a potent airway irritant. Recent evidence indicates that, when integrated with the sustained high ventilation volumes of the elite athlete, ozones airway constrictive effect is manifest at concentrations of 0.20 ppm. The effect of ozone causes an increase in breathing rate and a decrease in tidal volume for a given workload along with substernal pain. At the current ambient levels it is unlikely that sulphur dioxide will affect athletic performance. However, asthmatics appear more susceptible to the sulphur dioxide induced bronchoconstriction at levels of less than 1.0 ppm These effects can be inhibited by prior administration of cromolyn sodium. Finally, carbon monoxide has, by reason of its binding capacity to haemoglobin a significant and predictably linear effect on maximal oxygen uptake and exercise performance. It is well known that the level of blood carboxyhaemoglo bin is time, duration and concentration dependent. When blood carboxyhaemoglobin is increased, maximal performance is reduced and cognitive performance measures, such as attention, decline. Verf.-Referat