The Effect of Regular Exercise on Lung Function and Amino Acid Arginine-Alanine in Traffic Police of the Provinces Affected by Dust Particles in Iran

Background and Aim: The recent review of research conducted in the field of air pollution and sports shows that there is a serious impact of air pollutants as well as the new pollutant of dust particles, and it is imperative to pay attention to this issue. This research aims to investigate the effect of regular exercise on lung function and amino acid arginine-alanine in traffic police of the provinces affected by dust particles in Iran.
Methods: Forty traffic police officers (age: 23.62±6.4 years; body mass index: 27.44±4.7 kg/m²) were voluntarily selected from the centers of Khuzestan, Ilam, and Kermanshah provinces and randomly assigned to two control and regular physical activity groups. Regular physical activity included: 30 sessions, circuit training three times a week including hanging from the chin up (20 seconds), jumping over obstacles (knee height) at a distance of one meter for a total of 540 cm, Sit-ups (30 seconds), chest press (70% 1RM -8 repetitions), leg press (70% 1RM -8 repetitions), back extension (15 repetitions), calf raise (70% 1RM -8 repetitions), zigzag jump (20 repetitions), six to ten reputation Illinois Agility Test with a 30-second rest interval. Before the study, 48 hours before the occurrence of dust particles, and after the study fat percentage, amino acids, WBC, and FEV1/FVC were measured. To examine the research data, we used the mean and standard deviation as well as repeated analysis of variance (P≥0.05).
Results: It was found that time (pre-test- May 12, 2023) had a significant effect on amino acids arginine-alanine, maximum oxygen consumption, body fat percentage, and FEV1/FVC in the training group (P<0.05). In the control group, there was no significant difference in the amino acid arginine-alanine, maximum oxygen consumption, body fat percentage, or FEV1/FVC (P>0.05). However, the effect of time was present in the control group only for white blood cells (P<0.001). In terms of body fat percentage, there was a significant difference between the control and exercise groups (P=0.01), as well as maximum oxygen consumption (P=0.01).
Conclusion: This study has demonstrated that regular exercise training can improve lung function, aerobic fitness, body fat percentage, and levels of amino acids involved in the immune system, as well as increase muscle mass and anti-inflammatory effects that reduce dust particle damage in those exposed to dust particles.