Air pollution; Environment; Physical activity; Health; Cognition; Neuroimaging; Aging

Herein, we introduce the behavioral, psychological and neuroimaging protocol of the study.MethodsThis is a prospective cohort study of N=1500 individuals aged 18-65years comparing: (1) individuals living in the highly polluted, industrial region surrounding the city of Ostrava (n=750), and (2) controls from the comparison region with relative low pollution levels in Southern Bohemia (n=750). Quota sampling is used to obtain samples balanced on age, gender, PA status (60% active runners vs. 40% insufficiently active). Participants are screened and complete baseline assessments through online questionnaires and in-person lab-based assessments of physiological, biomechanical, neuroimaging and cognitive function parameters. Prospective 12-month intensive monitoring of air pollution and behavioral parameters (PA, inactivity, and sleep) follows, with a focus on PA-related injuries and psychological factors through fitness trackers, smartphones, and mobile apps. Subsequently, there will be a 5-year follow-up of the study cohort.DiscussionThe design of the study will allow for (1) the assessment of both short-term variation and long-term change in behavioral parameters, (2) evaluation of the incidence of musculoskeletal injuries and psychological factors impacting behavior and injury recovery, and (3) the impact that air pollution status (and change) has on behavior, psychological resilience, and injury recovery.