Under the Radar: How Particulate Exposure Impacts Athletic Performance

For athletes, every second counts. And when fine particulate matter (PM2.5) or ozone hover in the air—even at levels deemed “moderate”—performance, recovery and health take a hit. Recent research shows that even elite competitors are affected by these invisible threats.

Sections:

1. Summary of key research: one study found that repeated exposure to PM2.5 and ozone over 21 days was associated with slower 5 km race times among top collegiate athletes. 

2. Physiology behind the impact: inflammation, oxidative stress, impaired lung/vascular function 

3. Real‑life consequences: trainer decisions, exposing teams to risk, long‑term health.

4. What someone managing athletic facilities or training programmes can do: monitoring, scheduling, deployment of clean‑air tech.

5. How your solution helps: outdoor units, real‑time tracking, visible impact for coaches/athletes.