tennis in bad air quality

[Max G.]

So, how bad is it to play tennis in bad air quality? Anyone know?

It's super-smoky here right now in the SF bay area due to the fires (goddamn global warming). AQI in the 100-150 range, labeled as unhealthy.

My question is - anyone know how bad it actually is to exercise in that kind of air? Is it short-term bad, like I'm gonna cough and feel bad afterwards? In that case whatever, I can play anyway. Or am I like gonna give myself lung cancer or something if I don't take it easy?

 

[Tennease]

https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/environment/air/Pages/aqi.aspx


Poor:

• AQI value 100 – 149
• Air quality could be a problem for susceptible people. For example, people with lung disease are at greater risk from exposure to ozone, while people with either lung disease or heart disease are at greater risk from exposure to particle pollution. The general population is not likely to be affected when the AQI is in this range.

Very Poor:

• AQI value 150 – 200
• Everyone may begin to experience health effects. People from susceptible groups may experience more serious health effects.

 

[tennis tom]

(goddamn global warming).

It's a myth--there are much bigger problems facing the planet, like, THE SKY IS FALLING ! ! !

Been playing in the smoke all week, no problem, it's very paleo. The great thing is the courts are ALL empty. It's no worse then smoking a carton of Camels.

 

[TenS_Ace]

We've had terrible forest fires up here in CANUKISTAN and players have been complaining about the smoky air quality. Myself, I train on a treadmill during the winter smoking a cigar and serious cycling in the summer smoking a cigar, so I'm always good to go

 

[zaskar1]

all

it is up to you to decide how bad the air has to be before you choose not to play tennis.
the AQI index provides pretty clear guidelines.
our tennis club closes the courts when the AQI gets above 200

i havent played much over the past couple of weeks as i am in the SF Bayarea

z

 

[brokenRPM]

https://www.sfgate.com/california-w...es-smoke-breathing-aqi-unhealthy-13399240.php

With San Francisco registering an AQI of 246, breathing the noxious air for 24 hours is equivalent to smoking about 11 cigarettes — or a little over half of a pack.

 

[beltsman]

China

 

[brokenRPM]

10 characters

 

[Max G.]

Yeah, for myself I set a cutoff that if the AQI is over 150, I wouldn't play, and I would play if it was below 150. Unfortunately, it pretty quickly went to over 150 and has stayed there, I haven't played since last Sunday.

 

[norcal]

I played in it several times this past week. Really depends on the person. My wife has headaches, sore eyes and feels lousy without even exercising. The AQI when I played ranged from 175-220. I didn't feel any ill effects (maybe a scratchy throat, maybe). Mid 60's, no wind, I could not resist.

btw, I hit with OP at GG Park about 17 years ago!

 

[Max G.]

Yeah, I was more worried about the long term effects. If it was just short-term discomfort I'd just play anyway, itchy throat and headaches and sore eyes isn't as bad as not playing tennis!!! But if I give myself lung cancer and die early or screw up my lungs then I get to play less tennis too. Really I'm optimizing for lifetime quantity of tennis.

And yep, I remember (vaguely) hitting with you, I was back in college at the time. Man that was so long ago.

 

[zaskar1]

all
high AQI is equivalent to smoking cigarettes, affects peoples health differently. some people are affected, some not at all.
its difficult to gauge how it affects your health
looks like the AQI dropped below 150 today, its 134. so for me, the air is ok to exercise outside
z

 

[ShaunS]

high AQI is equivalent to smoking cigarettes, affects peoples health differently. some people are affected, some not at all.
its difficult to gauge how it affects your health

Well stated. Air quality, not unlike extreme temperatures, will impact everyone differently. You will have to monitor for yourself, but it's always best to err on the side of caution.

 

[VoodooChild24]

I live in the North Bay and about 2 hours away from Chico CA. I have not played in 2 weeks. Ugggh!

 

[ollinger]

Bad idea to play. Many combustion products are carcinogens, just as in a lit cigarette, and strenuous physical exercise will cause you to breathe in more of them. The results of that may take a few years or more to manifest.

 

[kevrol]

Y'all just need to get your rakes out and you wouldn't have these problems.

 

[loosegroove]

Would you consider playing in a 3M respirator? I'm serious. I've never "exercised" in one, but I have done arduous outdoor work all day in the heat and humidity of New England summer and I almost forget I'm wearing it. Much more comfortable and less restrictive breathing than the paper masks. That's what I'd do.

 

[ShaunS]

Would you consider playing in a 3M respirator? I'm serious.

No. I'm serious too.

 

[norcal]

Yes, you were a young pup with a big topspin forehand! I think you borrowed a racket?

Bad idea to play. Many combustion products are carcinogens, just as in a lit cigarette, and strenuous physical exercise will cause you to breathe in more of them. The results of that may take a few years or more to manifest.

fwiw, we had 8 guys out Sunday morning. The pickleball courts, usually jam packed on Sunday morning, were empty.

So either pickleballers are smarter than tennis players or they are f***ing p***ies.

I'm going with the latter.

 

[loosegroove]

So either pickleballers are smarter than tennis players or they are f***ing p***ies.

farting puppies?

 

[FedLIKEnot]

I live in Vacaville and played twice last week in the evening and again tonight. I have allergy induced asthma so I made sure I took it before heading out and had it with me as needed minus a the smokey haze I didn’t experience any issues.....

 

[sam_p]

The idea that the PM2.5 AQI can be made equivalent in some way to a number of cigarettes smoked is misleading. When smoking cigarettes you briefly expose yourself to high particulates and then you breath fresh air for some time. The problem with the air quality in the bay area (for healthy people) is that it is a constant irritant with no real respite. The calculation that is done is based on the total particulates you are exposed to in smoking a cigarette but doesn't take into account any effects of constant exposure with no fresh air in between.

In addition, important to remember that we are also breathing in the smoke from burned houses, cars, people, animals as well as trees. Tons of noxious crap.

 

[Max G.]

Yes, you were a young pup with a big topspin forehand! I think you borrowed a racket?

Yep! I was visiting my girlfriend at the time and hadn't brought any of my tennis gear, but had some free time.

Still have a big topspin forehand!

 

[PBODY99]

@kevrol
From some reports better electric line maintenance would help.
Well wish for rain.

 

[tennis tom]

@kevrol
From some reports better electric line maintenance would help.
Well wish for rain.

They're just going after PG&E because they have the deep pockets--PG&E is a one of the best utilities on the planet or was at least until they started having to spend valuable resources having to defend themselves against the constant barages of attacks by the kali government and lawyers trying to steal it and turn it over to their cronies and for political patronage jobs. If you think they're aren't doing a good job, wait until the kali gov takes it over--the infratstructure is rotting--dams are leaking and cracking, the roads are the worst--pot-holes everywhere.

 

[Tdub]

I'm now 68 yo, have had 2 minor (caught and stented quickly) heart attacks, but am on the right track now with very healthy lifestyle. With the benefit of wisdom, that only comes with age and extensive scholarship, I would avoid even marginally bad air quality from the fires, as it has substantial long term negative effects for lung function. Better to breath clean air, with a respirator if outdoors and a HEPA quality air filter if indoors, than to get exercise. I live in the Palm Springs area (retired here) and the tennis activity is second to none. You don't have to live in Palm Springs itself, where real estate $ are high because of popularity by LGBTQ community. Many other great towns in the valley, including Indian Wells. We have not gotten any significant air quality effects from the S Cal fires yet.

 

[maximus]

I heard the pollution is totally bad in India and China and yet, good players emerge from these countries. I wonder how they do it?

 

[Zman]

People play tennis in Beijing all the time, despite AQI's of 1000 or more. I've played tennis wearing a 3M mask in 600 AQI, and it was fine, even though just standing still and breathing that air without a mask would immediately cause throat pain. But I've never seen anyone else wearing a mask on the courts. I wonder whether the good players from China do their training away from a major city, so that pollution isn't so bad.