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Int J Sports Med 2006; 27(2): 137-142
DOI: 10.1055/s-2005-837660
Training & Testing

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Modelling Atmospheric Pollution During the Games of the XXVIII Olympiad: Effects on Elite Competitors

A. D. Flouris1
  • 1Environmental Ergonomics Laboratory, School of Health and Human Performance, Dalhousie University, Halifax NS, Canada
Further Information

Publication History

Accepted after revision: January 25, 2005

Publication Date:
02 June 2005 (online)

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Abstract

The present study investigated the specific atmospheric conditions expected in Athens during the summer of 2004 in relation to the performance of elite athletes. Design: Atmospheric pollution and weather data for the period April 16th to September 30th covering the entire greater Athens area and collected from 1984 to 2003 were used for descriptive statistics and model fitting. The analysis was focused on carbon monoxide (CO), ozone (O3), sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxide (NO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and particulate matter with a diameter of < 10 µm (PM10). Factor and cluster analysis were used to describe atmospheric pollution in the northern, central, and southern sector of Athens. Generalized estimated equations (GEE) analysis was used to predict mean August 2004 pollutant concentration. Increased concentrations of O3 and PM10 (mean 2003 values: 134.3 ± 9.3, 44 ± 1.9 µg/m3, respectively) may generate adverse health and performance effects. The highest O3 values were recorded in the northern Athenian sector during the period June 12th to July 23rd, peaking around mid-day (12 : 00 - 18 : 00) (p < 0.05). The highest PM10 concentrations were recorded in the central Athenian sector during the period August 20th to September 9th, peaking at late afternoon (14 : 00 - 22 : 00) (p < 0.05). Similar concentrations were observed during all days of the week (p > 0.05). GEE approximated mean August 2004 pollutant concentrations similar to: CO: 2.8 (mg/m3), O3: 136, SO2: 24, NO: 134, and NO2: 106 (μg/m3). Concentrations of O3 and PM10 during the XXVIII Olympiad may generate adverse health and performance effects on the cardiovascular function of the elite competitors. (The present manuscript was submitted shortly before the start of the Games and became published after their completion. In this light, the actual pollution rates in Athens during August 2004 are presented in the Note Added in Proof as credence to the statistics used).

Key words

Air pollutants - Olympics - Athens - exercise performance - health - athletes

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Environmental Ergonomics Laboratory 

School of Health and Human Performance
Dalhousie University

6230 South Street

Halifax, Nova Scotia

B3H 3J5, Canada

Phone: + 19024946789

Fax: + 1 90 24 94 10 84

Email: aflouris@dal.ca