−8%
shorter endurance after industrial vs forest exposure
Exact: 13.5 ± 0.9 min vs 14.6 ± 1.0 min
Acute industrial environment exposure reduced cycling endurance by ~8% compared to a forest environment
In a randomized crossover study, 25 healthy adults were exposed to either an industrialized environment or a forest environment for 90 minutes before completing a standardized laboratory cycling endurance test. Those exposed to the industrial environment reached exhaustion at 13.5 minutes on average, versus 14.6 minutes after forest exposure — roughly an 8% reduction in endurance performance. Cardiorespiratory markers (e.g., VO₂) did not differ between conditions, suggesting the impairment may be mediated by perceptual or mood-related pathways rather than purely physiological ones.
Endurance performance was significantly reduced following industrial exposure (time-to-exhaustion: 13.5 ± 0.9 min) compared to forest exposure (14.6 ± 1.0 min; p = 0.007).
Related findings
drivers reported higher mental effort at 1800 ppm CO₂ than at 800 ppm
Moderate CO2 elevation (1800 ppm) increases perceived effort in drivers compared to lower CO2 (800 ppm)
Chao Wang et al., 2023, The Science of The Total Environment
2260 ppm
poor ventilation pushed CO₂ to more than four times the high-ventilation level
Low ventilation caused CO2 to rise to 2260 ppm
H. Maula et al., 2017, Indoor Air
540 ppm
high ventilation kept indoor CO₂ near outdoor-equivalent levels
High ventilation maintained CO2 at 540 ppm
H. Maula et al., 2017, Indoor Air
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