With wildfire season in full swing, we’ve had to cancel many tennis sessions thanks to poor air quality. You may wonder, though, why do so many people cancel outdoor exercise and lessons when the air quality is bad thanks to wildfires and pollution. The answer is a bit complicated. 

Understanding Pollution

Any time you work out, you inhale more air. Your body needs additional oxygen to send to your heart and the rest of your body as you exercise. When you’re outside, the air you breathe is what’s around you. Pollution is made up of all kinds of particulate matter. Wildfire smoke, for example, includes carbon dioxide, hydrocarbons, and many other chemicals and minerals. As you breathe in, those harmful particles go directly to your lungs.

Is It Actually Dangerous?

Breathing that pollution in while you work out can actually be fairly dangerous. In fact, it can undo the benefit of the exercise initially. Some research suggests that inhaling polluted air while you’re working out inhibits all of the great benefits of exercise including increased brain function and better blood flow. Pollution can even cause your heart and lungs to swell. 

What To Do Instead

If you still want the benefit of a solid tennis workout but you’re concerned about air quality, there are a few things you can do. Check the air pollution levels before you head out to the court. If you’re seeing red on the EPA’s site, you know that you should cancel your match. You may also want to schedule your matches in the morning when the air quality is at its best. If you do decide to move inside,  make certain good air filtration systems are in place to help. 

Poor air quality is a fact of life during wildfire season, but there are steps you can take to protect your lungs as you play.