Association between outdoor jogging behavior and PM_2.5 exposure: Evidence from massive GPS trajectory data in Beijing

Outdoor jogging is one of the most popular practised exercises worldwide, providing various benefits for health and wellbeing. However, PM_2.5 exposure risks of jogging behaviors were rarely explored. This study aims to investigate the association between jogging behavior and PM_2.5 exposure with big data. PM_2.5 exposure concentration and dose inhalation of individuals were calculated by integrating hourly PM_2.5 concentration data and jogging GPS trajectory recorded by a sports app during 2015 in Beijing, after which relationships between jogging behaviors and PM_2.5 exposure were unpacked using statistics analysis and structural equation modelling. Experimental results on massive jogging trajectories show that: (1) the average jogging PM_2.5 exposure concentration is 60.43 μg/m³, and female joggers inhaled significantly less air pollution dose (19.70 μg) than men (24.91 μg). (2) There exist significant spatiotemporal disparities in jogging exposure to PM_2.5. Joggings in the city center, in the morning, on weekdays and in autumn and winter seasons were exposed to higher pollution concentrations. (3) Jogging behavior characteristics, especially distance, activity space size, duration and rotation, were systematically associated with PM_2.5 exposure across space and time. (4) The role of gender directly shaped joggers' dose inhalation of PM_2.5 pollution and indirectly via duration, timing choice and distance. (5) The effects of weather conditions on joggers' exposure to PM_2.5 are mainly via direct effects, whereas the direct impacts of precipitation and wind speed are mitigated by indirect effects stemming from jogging behavior patterns. Our findings provide insights for personal guidance and policy intervention for the sake of promoting physical activity and reducing PM_2.5 exposure.