Researchers compiled finish times from 1,506,137 male marathon finishers and 1,058,674 female finishers, and combined the information with data from a statistical model showing the amount of fine particulate matter in the air at different points along the routes.
Recently published in Sports Medicine , the analysis conducted by School of Public Health researchers relied on publicly available data from nine major marathons across the United States between 2003 and 2019, including from races in Boston , Los Angeles, and Houston, according to university officials.
PROVIDENCE — Poor air quality can contribute to slower average finish times for marathon runners, according to a new study from researchers at Brown University .
Allan Just, an associate professor of epidemiology and environment and society at the university, created the model.
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“This really sophisticated spatial-temporal model of particulate matter allowed us to plot pollution at every mile of every course,” study author Elvira Fleury said in a statement. Fleury led the research while studying as a graduate student at the university. “Without a model like this, it wouldn’t have been possible to look at so many different marathons in different states across different years.”
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According to researchers, air pollutant concentration is measured in micrograms per cubic meter of air, or µg/m3.
“Analyzing all finish times, the researchers found that each 1 µg/m3 higher particulate matter on race day was associated with 32-second slower average finish times among men and 25-second slower average finish times among women,” university officials said. “The effects were more pronounced in faster-than-median runners.”
Researchers said air pollution impact on marathon times could be due to “increased blood pressure, constricted blood vessels, reduced lung function, respiratory discomfort or possibly even short-term cognitive issues.” Past research has revealed air pollution is tied to mortality and heart and lung diseases.
Fleury, now a doctoral student at Harvard University, said the effect of air quality on differences in marathon finishing times may appear small, but just a few seconds can have a huge impact on runners working to set records.
“Think of all the effort, time and money that a professional runner like Eliud Kipchoge put into trying to break the world record and run a marathon in less than two hours,” Fleury said. “Runners at that level are thinking about their gear, their nutrition, their training, the course, even the weather. Our results show that those interested in optimizing athletic performance should consider the effect of air pollution, as well.”
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Christopher Gavin can be reached at christopher.gavin@globe.com.
Brown University study finds
