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Background <p>Professional football players are exposed to elevated levels of ambient air pollutants due to increased minute ventilation during high-intensity exercise. While the adverse health effects of air pollution are well established, its potential impact on match performance and injury patterns in real-world competitive settings remains insufficiently explored. This study aims to evaluate the association between ambient air pollution levels and match-related outcomes in professional football.</p> Methods <p>This retrospective observational study included 136 official matches played by a professional football team over four consecutive seasons (2019–2023). Match performance indicators, including goals per match, disciplinary actions, and match outcomes, as well as injury data and post-match upper respiratory tract infections, were obtained from official records. Environmental exposure data were retrieved from national air quality monitoring systems, including daily mean concentrations of PM10, PM2.5, NO₂, O₃, and CO. Correlation analysis and multivariable linear regression models were used to assess associations between pollutant levels and match-related outcomes.</p> Results <p>PM10 and NO₂ levels were negatively correlated with goals per match (<i>r</i> = –0.32 and <i>r</i> = –0.35, respectively; <i>p</i> &lt; 0.01 for both) and positively correlated with disciplinary actions. In multivariable analysis, PM10 remained significantly associated with goals per match (<i>β</i> = –0.24, <i>p</i> = 0.002) and cards per match (<i>β</i> = 0.21, <i>p</i> = 0.004), while NO₂ showed similar associations. PM10 was also significantly associated with injuries per match (<i>β</i> = 0.27, <i>p</i> = 0.001). No statistically significant associations were identified for O₃. Temporal trend analysis demonstrated increasing pollution levels and injury counts across seasons (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.05).</p> Conclusion <p>Higher levels of ambient air pollution may be associated with reduced match performance and increased injury frequency in professional football. These findings highlight the potential role of environmental factors in influencing both performance and health outcomes in athletes. However, given the observational design and potential for residual confounding, the results should be interpreted as associations rather than causal relationships. Further prospective studies incorporating more precise exposure measurements are warranted.</p>

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Impact of ambient air pollution on match outcomes and injury patterns in professional football: a four-year retrospective study

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年7月15日

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  • Veysel Uludağ,
  • Rabia Tuğba Tekin,
  • Kudret Selki,
  • Metehan Özen,
  • Mehmet Cihat Demir,
  • Mustafa Bogan,
  • Hasan Bayram

摘要

Background

Professional football players are exposed to elevated levels of ambient air pollutants due to increased minute ventilation during high-intensity exercise. While the adverse health effects of air pollution are well established, its potential impact on match performance and injury patterns in real-world competitive settings remains insufficiently explored. This study aims to evaluate the association between ambient air pollution levels and match-related outcomes in professional football.

Methods

This retrospective observational study included 136 official matches played by a professional football team over four consecutive seasons (2019–2023). Match performance indicators, including goals per match, disciplinary actions, and match outcomes, as well as injury data and post-match upper respiratory tract infections, were obtained from official records. Environmental exposure data were retrieved from national air quality monitoring systems, including daily mean concentrations of PM10, PM2.5, NO₂, O₃, and CO. Correlation analysis and multivariable linear regression models were used to assess associations between pollutant levels and match-related outcomes.

Results

PM10 and NO₂ levels were negatively correlated with goals per match (r = –0.32 and r = –0.35, respectively; p < 0.01 for both) and positively correlated with disciplinary actions. In multivariable analysis, PM10 remained significantly associated with goals per match (β = –0.24, p = 0.002) and cards per match (β = 0.21, p = 0.004), while NO₂ showed similar associations. PM10 was also significantly associated with injuries per match (β = 0.27, p = 0.001). No statistically significant associations were identified for O₃. Temporal trend analysis demonstrated increasing pollution levels and injury counts across seasons (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Higher levels of ambient air pollution may be associated with reduced match performance and increased injury frequency in professional football. These findings highlight the potential role of environmental factors in influencing both performance and health outcomes in athletes. However, given the observational design and potential for residual confounding, the results should be interpreted as associations rather than causal relationships. Further prospective studies incorporating more precise exposure measurements are warranted.