A friend just told me that exercising in fog is bad for your respiratory system, and could possibly lead to pneumonia. Anyone know if this is or is not the case?
On the one hand, it makes sense that inhaling too much moisture into your lungs could interfere with normal oxygen absorption. On the other hand, it sounds somewhat alarmist and old-wives-ly, like cold weather giving you a cold (no, germs cause colds) or eating before swimming giving you a fatal cramp (never happened).
Note: We’re not talking about smog, or ozone, or car exhaust, or airborne particulates. Just water vapor.
Just a thought though I am sure there are other reasons as well.
Our vet has told us that one of the ways that Blastomycosis is transferred is through fog. So apparently the fog can serve the role of carrier for this fungus.
I would think this transfers to some degree because humans are susceptible to Blasto too.
I tried to find an article to back up the vets claim but in a quick search which included the UW- Madison Vet College nothing came up about this. I’ll have to drill her on it at volleyball next time I see her.
I think the risk of exercising in fog is very low, especially compared to the risks from curbing your exercise program every time the weather is non-perfect.
Maybe it’s more of a concern if you live in an area that is constantly foggy, or if you are planning on running a marathon in the fog, or if you have an existing respiratory problem that might be aggravated by excessive moisture.
