Linsey Marr, Ph.D., Matt Ely M.S.

AIR POLLUTION MAY AFFECT WOMEN’S MARATHON PERFORMANCE

INDIANAPOLIS – A comprehensive marathon study from the official journal of the American College of Sports Medicine indicates poor air quality may hinder women’s marathon times.

The study, led by researcher Linsey Marr, Ph.D., evaluated marathon race results, weather data and air pollutant concentrations in seven marathons over a period of 8 to 28 years. The top three male and female finishing times were compared with the course record and contrasted with air pollutant levels, taking high temperatures (detrimental to performance) into consideration.

Linsey Marr, Ph.D and Matthew R. Ely of the Military Nutrition Division of the U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, come on the show to discuss these findings, air quality in different environments, and the effects of weather on ability and performance during exercise.

Linsey Marr, Ph.D., is an associate professor of civil and environmental engineering at Virginia Tech University. She holds a Ph.D. in environmental engineering from the University of California at Berkeley. She is an avid recreational athlete who participates in running, cycling, skiing, backpacking and triathlons.

Matthew Ely, M.S. Mr. Ely completed a Bachelor's degree in Exercise Science at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst; a Master's Degree in Exercise Physiology at James Madison University; and began Doctorate study in Exercise Physiology at the University of Georgia, Athens. He gained two years of clinical research at the Harvard Medical School working with NIH and pharmaceutical sponsored protocols investigating asthma and exercise induced asthma before coming to United States Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine (USARIEM) in 2005. Currently his main foci are in nutrition, thermoregulation, and endurance performance.

Melanie Cole, M.S.

3 / 2 / 2010