Ninety three per cent of doctors prescribe wearing masks while outdoors as it helps reduce the adverse impact of pollution while 85% recommend indoor activities such as gymming, yoga and zumba during poor air quality days, as per a survey conducted recently among doctors in the city.
The survey was done by Max Bupa Health Insurance to explore what doctors recommend during “bad air days”. The survey ‘Delhi breathe better’ spoke to 60 doctors, including pulmonologists and ENT experts.
‘Turn inactive’
“The qualitative research has been conducted with the objective of finding a solution to the predicament faced by Delhiites, given the current scenario. While the pollution levels in Delhi have come down in the past few days, the AQI still hovers around the unsafe zone, causing ambiguity among Delhiites regarding the impact on health and on how to approach the situation,” noted the release issued by the group.
The survey reveals that doctors across specialties strongly discourage Delhiites to stem all outdoor activities and turn inactive. The medical fraternity acknowledges the shortage of breathable air in Delhi and advise residents against any strenuous exercise that may require more oxygen like cycling or running.
Walking (83%) emerged the exercise most prescribed by a majority of the doctors surveyed. Seventy-eight per cent doctors prescribe morning (up to 8 a.m.) as the best time to walk outside and about 65% doctors said 30 minutes is the ideal duration for walking in the present situation.
As per the survey, doctors also recommend lung-strengthening exercises to tackle such situations in the long run.
