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As an athlete, you’ve probably analyzed several aspects of your life and routine to optimize your performance. You may have started a regimented diet to eat more macro- and micro-nutrients to energize your body on and off the field. You may have taken more supplements or reduced your intake of alcohol to make sure you’re more hydrated. You may have taken ice baths to improve muscle inflammation and help with recovery.
However, you may be ignoring an aspect of your routine that inadvertently affects your performance — something more nefarious and hidden than you realize: EMF radiation.
What Is EMF Radiation?
Electromagnetic field (EMF) radiation is a common radiation that most people are exposed to daily. It can take the form of electric, magnetic, and radio waves. These waves may sound familiar. In fact, most of the energy in our world emits these waves. Even a run on a sunny day will inevitably expose you to a form of EMF radiation, which is completely natural and normal. It can become dangerous, however, if the dose of EMF radiation you receive is disproportionate to what your body can process, which inevitably affects your well-being.
In addition, more manufactured forms of EMF emissions, such as the radiation that your smartphone, power lines in your area, and even your Wi-Fi, can increase your exposure to EMF radiation.
Although further research is needed to fully understand the long-term impacts, there are studies that connect EMF emissions with various conditions. For example, an updated analysis found that children exposed to a variety of magnetic fields — which may have been created by living near power lines, occupying the same household as a parent frequently exposed to EMF radiation, or using household items that emit EMF — were more likely to develop leukemia.
In addition, EMF pollution has been a potential source of reproductive issues among the general populace, such as low sperm count, which is a growing problem among the general populace.
These connections imply that EMF radiation has far-reaching impacts — both on a cellular and endocrine system level.
Understanding Oxidative Stress
EMF radiation has these far-reaching impacts because of a term known as oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is essentially a body’s reaction to environmental stressors. These stressors can vary from pollutants and drugs to the radiation that EMF emits. Under a microscope, a body experiences oxidative stress when it’s unable to metabolize oxygen within its cells and generate antioxidants due to an imbalance of free radicals.
Although this sounds daunting, oxidative stress is a naturally occurring biological response. Exercise even produces free radicals, which can send the body into a state of stress. That said, the more stressed the body is, the less capable it is of regulation.
Under oxidative stress, you may be less capable of metabolizing food, leading to inflammation and poor muscle recovery. All of these processes are integral factors in athletic performance; any athlete who wants to improve needs to analyze their exposure to free radicals, minimize oxidative stress in the body, and reduce their exposure to pollutants such as EMF radiation.
How EMF Radiation Affects Your Body
Many athletes may not realize that they’re regularly exposed to EMF radiation because its symptoms are relatively common, and medical professionals may first point to other conditions as the responsible cause. For example, headaches are common among athletes who experience head injuries, such as hockey or football players. However, headaches can also be a sign of excessive EMF exposure.
In addition, EMF exposure can exacerbate specific symptoms even further — even if it isn’t the sole cause. If you struggle with these issues, it may be time to analyze your exposure to EMF.
Sleep Disruptions
Sleep is essential for athletes. It prevents sports-induced injuries and helps athletes recover if they injure themselves. It also regulates your metabolism. Indisputably, the better sleep you get at night, the better you’ll perform during the day. However, on average, many athletes get worse and less sleep than the average person. No matter the reason for this phenomenon, athletes must concentrate on getting the best sleep possible unless they want to see their performance and health decline.
Unfortunately, EMF radiation can threaten an athlete’s sleep. For one, researchers have found a connection between EMF and a lack of melatonin, the hormone responsible for regulating our circadian rhythms and the overall cycle in which we feel rested or tired. It is believed that EMF can cause an imbalance in melatonin, disrupting the circadian rhythm cycle.
Objects that emit EMF radiation, such as smartphones, are also responsible for mental disruptions during sleep. For example, most smartphones’ blue light mimics daylight, which may make you feel more awake when you should be winding down for the evening.
No matter the physical or psychological cause of your lack of sleep, it’s best to reduce your exposure to this technology at least an hour before bed.
Headaches
Many often brush aside headaches as a common symptom of living a fast-paced routine — which most athletes are familiar with. However, headaches can also be a symptom of a buildup of EMF radiation.
Although the exact reasoning behind this connection has yet to be studied thoroughly, some theorize that the radiation permeates the blood-brain barrier, which protects the brain from polluting substances. As a result, inflammation will occur, leading to headaches.
Left untreated, headaches induced by EMF exposure can lead to cognitive side effects. Athletes may be unable to concentrate during practice and train less intensely. Most importantly, their well-being will decline. Trying to outperform yourself while dealing with this symptom can be mentally and physically exhausting.
Dizziness and Vertigo
One of the first symptoms of EMF radiation recorded in history was dizziness and vertigo in the 1970s and 1980s. Military personnel who often worked alongside radio and radio equipment often complained about nausea and feelings of the room spinning. Unfortunately, this symptom is often left unaddressed to this day by medical professionals across the globe, as a study points out in the journal “Reviews on Environmental Health.”
This symptom can negatively impact a variety of athletes. All athletes need balance and coordination to improve; dizziness and vertigo impede these abilities. Left untreated, athletes may find their performance and health worse off.
Why Athletes May Be More Sensitive to EMF Emissions
Although EMF radiation impacts everyone, athletes may feel the effects more than others due to the stress their body endures regularly. As mentioned earlier, strenuous exercise can be a source of free radicals, inducing oxidative stress. When athletes are already overexerting themselves to detoxify the pre-existing free radicals and provide enough oxygen to their white blood cells due to the rigors of physical training, they may be less equipped to filter further radiation.
In addition, if athletes want to improve their performance, they need to examine their resting metabolic rate (RMR), which measures the energy they need from food to compensate for the energy they exert while performing. Inevitably, a part of this equation should evaluate all aspects of an athlete’s life that may require energy — including pollution points. Therefore, to recover and improve as an athlete, you need to examine EMF exposure in your life.
To illustrate the importance of examining your athletic recovery time and minimizing your exposure to stress-inducing EMF, look no further than the case study of Maycee Barber. Barber, a martial artist who performs on the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) stage, has taken a more holistic approach to her athletic training and recovery time. As an athlete who undergoes intense physical and emotional strain due to the nature of martial arts, Barber found that it was essential to examine all aspects of her life that could affect her performance, including potential EMF sources. After doing so, Barber reported an improvement in both her physical and cognitive well-being.
Protecting Yourself From EMF Radiation
It’s impossible to eliminate exposure to EMF entirely, especially for athletes who need to stay connected with coaches, team members, and their support system. However, there are strategies you can implement to optimize your recovery and, as a result, your overall performance.
EMF Protection at Home
Your home is your center for rest and recovery — two things that are essential to your performance as an athlete. The best way to accentuate these two things is by reducing EMF exposure in areas of your home where rest is most likely to happen: your bedroom. For example, you may need to keep any electronics outside of the bedroom so you’ll enhance the quality and quantity of your sleep.
In addition, think of ways to minimize your exposure to Wi-Fi routers. If you’re able, use wired internet connections instead. If not, turn off the router at night when you need the most out of your recovery time.
EMF Protection on the Go
Most athletes are on the go. Some may have to travel to games or championships, and will continue to train to stay at the top of their game. The aspects of travel may be an added stressor, as some athletes may feel they have less control over their exposure to EMF while on the road. Still, there are things you can do to help improve your performance, no matter where
you are:
- Use airplane mode on all of your mobile devices when you don’t actively need them. The less you’re exposed to roaming Wi-Fi, the better.
- Avoid Bluetooth headsets or headphones. While using these headsets for entertainment on a long plane or bus ride may be tempting, they can also be a source of EMF radiation. Instead, you can easily replace them with wired headphones.
- Wear clothing and gear designed to alter EMF effects. Invest in technology or gear designed to neutralize atmospheres filled with EMF. This type of gear is often unobtrusive and safe to use while traveling. Aires Technology, for example, offers appliances you can wear as a necklace, on your electronic devices, or even on a keychain.
No matter what you do, simply examining your lifestyle and the stressors surrounding you will improve your performance, skills, and overall well-being. Even so, the more you do to address your exposure, the better you will be. Luckily, Aires Technology provides various solutions that can help protect you while you train and during your resting periods. As long as you invest in your health as an athlete, especially regarding the convenient gear that Aires Technology provides, your athleticism will improve even more.
FAQs About How EMF Radiation Impacts Athletic Performance
What Is EMF Radiation and Why Should Athletes Care About It?
EMF (Electromagnetic Field) radiation comes from electrical devices and wireless technology. Athletes should be aware of it because it can affect sleep, recovery, and overall performance by disrupting bodily functions and increasing oxidative stress.
How Can EMF Radiation Disrupt Sleep?
EMF radiation can interfere with the production of melatonin, a hormone critical for sleep regulation. This interference can lead to difficulties falling asleep, reduced sleep quality, and shorter sleep duration, impacting an athlete’s recovery and performance.
Can EMF Exposure Really Cause Headaches and Dizziness?
Some individuals report headaches, migraines, and sensations of dizziness or vertigo with prolonged EMF exposure. While responses vary, these symptoms can detract from an athlete’s focus, training intensity, and overall well-being.
What Is Oxidative Stress and Its Connection to EMF?
Oxidative stress occurs when there’s an imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants in the body. EMF exposure can increase free radical production, leading to oxidative stress, which is associated with muscle fatigue, inflammation, and impaired recovery.
Why Might Athletes Be More Sensitive to EMF Emissions?
Due to their high metabolic rates, intensive oxygen consumption, and training’s physical stress, athletes may experience more pronounced effects of EMF exposure, including increased oxidative stress and sensitivity to EMF-related symptoms.
How Can I Minimize My EMF Exposure at Home?
To reduce EMF exposure at home, consider using wired connections instead of Wi-Fi, turning off electronic devices when not in use, and keeping mobile phones and other gadgets out of the bedroom to improve sleep quality.
Are There Effective Ways to Protect Myself From EMF On The Go?
Yes, you can minimize on-the-go exposure by using airplane mode on devices when not needed, preferring wired headphones over Bluetooth, and choosing clothing and accessories designed to shield against EMF.
Do EMF Shielding Products Work, and Should Athletes Use Them?
EMF shielding products can help reduce exposure, but their effectiveness varies. Athletes might benefit from them, especially for enhancing sleep and recovery periods. It’s important to select products based on reputable research and testing.
