REVIEW article
Front. Sports Act. Living
Sec. Injury Prevention and Rehabilitation
Volume 7 - 2025 | doi: 10.3389/fspor.2025.1611255
Microplastics and Exercise: Impacts on Performance and Physiological Health
Provisionally accepted
- 1Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- 2Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, Henan Province, China
- 3University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, Beijing Municipality, China
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Microplastics, a widespread and growing environmental pollutant, have raised global concerns due to their pervasive presence in both urban and natural environments. The extensive use of plastics has led to human exposure through inhalation, ingestion, and skin contact, posing potential risks to athletes and fitness enthusiasts during exercise. Studies suggest microplastics may impair exercise performance and health, though research remains limited. Current evidence indicates microplastics enter the body via respiration, water, and food, potentially disrupting physiological functions. However, their exact mechanisms, exposure thresholds, and long-term effects on athletic performance are poorly understood. This paper reviews microplastic sources, exposure pathways in sports, and their physiological impacts, aiming to establish a comprehensive understanding of their role in exercise science. By analyzing existing literature, this study explores microplastics' influence on physical function, athletic performance, and training outcomes. The findings may help identify actionable prevention strategies, promoting safer sports environments. Further research is needed to clarify microplastics' health implications and develop effective mitigation measures for athletes.
Keywords: Microplastics, Athletic Performance, healthy environmental pollution, long-term exposure risks, prevention strategies 1. Introduction
Received: 14 Apr 2025; Accepted: 04 Aug 2025.
Copyright: © 2025 Yuan, Jiao and Cao. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
* Correspondence: Deng Zhong Yuan, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
Disclaimer: All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.