Having Trouble Working Out? Experts Say It May Be Your Air Quality

Back in January, I experienced the Southern California wildfires and quickly realized just how much poor air quality impacts everything we do. It was the closest I've been to a wildfire, and even though I had an air purifier to mitigate the effects, it still impacted both my physical and mental health. Turns out, it can also impact how we work out and recover. "Indoor environments with poor air quality such as elevated CO₂ levels, particulate matter (PM2.5) and VOCs can reduce the oxygen available to muscles and the brain," Joakim Lindh, head of strategic growth at Airthings, told CNET via email. "This leads to faster fatigue, decreased endurance and even cognitive 'brain fog' mid-exercise." To get a better idea of how air quality affects fitness, I sought the expert insights of several doctors. How does indoor air quality affect workouts? Many people enjoy working out indoors, especially when the weather isn't ideal on rainy days, during cold winter months or even when the outdoor ... Read full article.