As more people become aware of the importance of breathing clean air during physical activities, developers of fitness apps have a massive opportunity to make their products better for their customers. With advances in technology, these apps will be able to provide even more detailed and accurate information about air quality, helping users to make informed decisions about when and where to exercise and lead healthier lives.

1. Here’s How Air Quality Data Can Boost
Your Fitness App's Performance

2. The focus on personal health and well-being has never been stronger. As the world
continues to face worsening environmental conditions, people constantly look for
intelligent ways to adapt and care for their bodies and minds. In light of that, health and
fitness apps have become a permanent presence in almost everyone’s smart devices. These
apps have become tremendously popular in recent years owing to greater public awareness
and health concerns.
However, there is one crucial factor that most fitness apps have not yet capitalized on– air
quality. When one considers the many ways in which air quality impacts workout
performance, it will seem crucial to include its insights into the applications.

3. Air quality and fitness performance
• Whether one is pursuing athletic training, physical therapy, conditioning, or just a plain and
simple workout–air quality levels spare none from its effects.
• As mentioned before, air quality has a serious impact on exercise and workout performance, as
well as on overall health. Exposure to air pollution can lead to decreased lung function, increased
respiratory symptoms, and decreased exercise capacity. Increase of 10 mg per cubic meter of
PM10 air pollution can be expected to decrease marathon performance by 1.4%.
• In 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, athlete Steve Ovett collapsed with respiratory problems after the
800 meters run. He cited air pollution as a major trigger for his exercise induced asthma.
• A study also found that exposure to high levels of air pollution can increase the risk of heart
disease and stroke–which is something to be very cautious of while doing intensive training.

4. • In another study published in the International Journal of Sports Medicine, it was found
that exposure to high levels of air pollution can cause fatigue and decreased endurance
during exercise, as the body must work harder to perform the same level of activity. This
means that even if one is working hard and being consistent with their health plan, they
might not see the results they were hoping for.
• A study conducted by a German professional football league suggested that a 1% increase
in PM10 concentration leads to a 0.02% decrease in the performance of professional
soccer players.

5. Poor air quality also increases the risk of injury during exercise, as the body may not be
receiving enough oxygen and nutrients to support proper muscle and joint function.
And it’s not just the athletes. A research explored how the decisions of Major League
Baseball umpires were affected by air pollution. 1ppm (parts per million) increase in carbon
monoxide over a three-hour period caused an 11.5% increase in the propensity of umpires to
make incorrect calls.
In fact, it’s not just the body that suffers. Air pollution has also been proven to mess with
mental health. Research has shown that prolonged exposure to polluted air can cause (and
aggravate) anxiety, depression, and deteriorate basic cognitive function. One of the many
reasons why people have turned to these apps is because they provide them with a
framework that keeps them motivated. Since air quality levels affect it, it will certainly
enhance the user experience if it’s integrated into their plan.

6. One of Ambee’s clients, Juli, used air quality data in their app better identify how these
factors had an impact on mental health and helped their customers them manage their
conditions with data-backed decisions. With the integration of Ambee’s datasets, juli were
able to assess the well-being of each individual and assist them with healthier living.

7. A hidden factor–Pollen
While we have explored the impact of air quality on fitness and well-being, it is also worth noting the significant ways in
which pollen counts can alter health conditions.
Pollen can have a big impact on how well we exercise. When the pollen count is high, it can make it harder for us to
breathe and can cause symptoms like sneezing and congestion. This can make it tough to exercise at our best and can
slow down our recovery time. Pollen can also cause inflammation in our airways, leading to coughing and wheezing. This
can make our muscles sore and make it even harder to perform at our best.
People who have allergies—roughly 30% of the global population—have it especially hard and often find it difficult to do
intense cardio exercises during the pollen season, this could be a great opportunity for app developers to provide a more
holistic and personable healthcare plan for their users.
To learn more about how pollen affects human health, read our expert insights here.
If air quality and pollen datasets are needed on-the-go with better visualization, pollen maps and air quality maps are
always a great way to gain better insights about a locality or ambient environment.

8. The benefits of integrating air quality data in
fitness apps
Now that we know how environmental conditions impact exercise performance, here are some ways air
quality data integration can boost your fitness app's performance:
1. Real-time air quality information
Integrating air quality data into fitness apps can provide users with real-time information about the air quality
in their surroundings. This information can help users plan their workouts accordingly, avoiding areas with
high levels of pollution or allergens. Users can also receive alerts and notifications when the air quality in
their area drops below a certain level, helping them make informed decisions about whether to exercise
outside or not.
Ambee’s industry-validated air quality API is the best fit for this need since it provides real-time and
hyperlocal air quality data for any lat long on Earth. Our data is analyzed from multiple sources, including
our proprietary sensors, to give the highest level of accuracy.

9. 2. Personalized workout recommendation
By analyzing air quality data, fitness apps can provide personalized workout
recommendations based on the user's location and the current air quality. For example, if
the air quality is poor in a user's area, the app can recommend indoor workouts or suggest
alternative routes for outdoor workouts that have better air quality. This can help users
avoid exposure to harmful pollutants and allergens, ensuring they stay healthy and safe
while exercising.

10. 3. Improved performance tracking
Integrating air quality data into fitness apps can also improve performance tracking. By
monitoring air quality data, apps can identify the impact of air quality on the user's
performance and make adjustments accordingly. For example, if a user's performance drops
due to poor air quality, the app can suggest alternative workouts or adjust the user's fitness
goals to ensure they are achievable and safe. In the same vein, the app can provide
pollution-related insights and notifications.

11. 4. Enhanced user experience
Integrating air quality data into fitness apps can enhance the overall user
experience. By providing users with real-time air quality information and
personalized recommendations, users can feel more confident and informed
about their workouts. This can help them stay motivated and engaged with the
app, leading to better results and increased satisfaction.

12. The future of fitness apps
As more people become aware of the importance of breathing clean air during physical
activities, developers of fitness apps have a massive opportunity to make their products
better for their customers. With advances in technology, these apps will be able to provide
even more detailed and accurate information about air quality, helping users to make
informed decisions about when and where to exercise and lead healthier lives.
Are you interested in integrating environmental data into your apps?
Write to us at contactus@getambee.com or leave a comment below!