Vigorous physical activity promotes lung development in children, but these benefits are diminished by ozone pollution, according to new research presented at the ATS 2026 international conference. The findings suggest that the health benefits of exercising at levels recommended by the World Health Organization may be limited due to environmental conditions.
This study is one of the first to examine how intense exercise and long-term ozone exposure affect lung development in children. The study authors said the findings suggest that, if environmental factors are not addressed, children in more polluted areas may not be able to achieve the same developmental health benefits from physical activity as their peers in cleaner environments.
The key message is that physical activity and environmental health are closely related. It is important to encourage children to be active, but it is equally important to ensure that they grow up in a clean, healthy environment.”
James Scales, PhD, first author, Senior Research Fellow, Queen Mary University of London
Supporting lung development in children is important because lung function in childhood is strongly linked to respiratory health in later life.
For the study, researchers analyzed data collected on more than 3,400 children aged 6 to 9 over four years as part of the Children’s Health in London and Luton (CHILL) study. They compared data on children’s activity levels and lung development with residential exposure to different types of air pollution.
A major finding was that, while vigorous physical activity showed a clear association with lung function, moderate activity did not. This suggests that exercise intensity matters for children’s respiratory health. The team also found that ozone, a reactive gas that can irritate airways, was more important than particle pollution in limiting the benefits of exercise.
“This fits with what we know about the biological effects of ozone during exercise, that when the breathing rate increases and more ozone reaches the lungs, it has an irritating effect on the airways,” Dr. Scales said.
He said the findings could help support policies aimed at reducing ozone-forming emissions. They also suggest that environmental conditions should be considered when developing physical activity guidelines.
Next, the researchers are planning follow-up studies to investigate whether there are specific thresholds for ozone exposure that trigger increased risk. They also hope to explore the short-term effects of ozone exposure on children’s respiratory health.
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