Earned Runs
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Request Bibs/Contact
  • GEAR LOVE
  • FAQ
  • Starter Checklist
  • RESOURCES*
  • Oh the Places You'll Go!
  • Generosity
  • THE HONOR SERIES
  • BONE STRENGTH FOR ATHLETES
  • About

SCIENCE FRIDAY: EXERCISING IN COLD AIR

1/19/2018

0 Comments

 
Picture
Clear winter day. Taken by PKSenagore January 16, 2018. All rights reserved.
WHY BREATHING IN COLD AIR HURTS 
This week the topic is a fun one, not requiring explanation or interpretation of research.
 
The Weather Channel often presents brief science lessons related to weather.  Most who keep this TV cable channel on for long stretches of time, like background music, love these education breaks.  It’s why we watch so devotedly.
 
This week there was an item about why outdoor exercisers might sometimes complain that breathing cold air hurts. Why a burning sensation might be felt in the throat and chest. Later in the day when I searched the TWC website for a video or mention of this particular lesson, to use it for this post, it could not be located. An internet search explained why. It turns out the TWC staff have a website on which to post stories like this! Who knew? It is www.weloveweather.tv. 
 
The explanation is simple; it’s the dryness not the cold. Inspired air must be at body temperature and 100% humidity by the time it reaches the lungs. After passing through the nasal passages (nose) and oral cavity (mouth) it reaches the trachea.  Since winter air is extremely dry, cells lining this tubular structure are tasked with using their own moisture to raise air humidity levels to 100% and temperature to 98.6 degrees.
 
This process can leave tracheal tissues dehydrated and irritated. Especially when lots of air is moved into the respiratory tract very quickly.
 
Remedies:
Stop running or being active outdoors in cold weather (not an option for many)
Wear a mask or scarf covering the mouth to pre-warm/moisten air before it enters the body
Breathe through your nose, it’s large surface area is better at warming than the trachea
Stay hydrated to give your tissues every chance to do their work
 
Weather lovers not only have an explanation for a physical reaction to frigid temps but they may now have more weather channel information available.
 
RUN & MOVE HAPPY!
 
https://weloveweather.tv/breathing-cold-air-hurts/
0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    BRIDGE TO PHYSICAL SELF
    Running, walking, and fitness activities enable us to experience our physical selves in a world mostly accessed through use of fingers on a mobile device.
    Picture
    Finished my first 50K challenge, a virtual but real effort April 6, 2021. Qualifies me as an ultra-marathoner! All rights reserved.

    Author

    EARNED RUNS is edited and authored by me, runner and founder.  I began participating in road races before 5Ks were common. I've been a dietitian, practiced and taught clinical pathology, and been involved with research that utilized pathology.  I am fascinated with understanding the origins of disease as well as health.

    Archives

    September 2021
    August 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015

    Categories

    All
    Greeting
    Image Only

    RSS Feed

    New! Search Box

    Earned Runs is now searchable! Check it out...
EARNED RUNS LLC                                                                                                                                                                                                    Proudly powered by Weebly
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Request Bibs/Contact
  • GEAR LOVE
  • FAQ
  • Starter Checklist
  • RESOURCES*
  • Oh the Places You'll Go!
  • Generosity
  • THE HONOR SERIES
  • BONE STRENGTH FOR ATHLETES
  • About