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Int J Sports Med 2002; 23(4): 252-261
DOI: 10.1055/s-2002-30125
Physiology and Biochemistry
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Exercise-Induced Changes in Pulmonary Function of Healthy, Elite Long-Distance Runners in Cold Air and Pollen Season Exercise Challenge Tests

I.  Helenius1, 2 , H.  O.  Tikkanen3 , M.  Helenius1 , A.  Lumme1 , V.  Remes1 , T.  Haahtela1
  • 1Department of Allergology, Skin and Allergy Hospital, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
  • 2Department of Surgery, Päijät-Häme Central Hospital, Lahti, Finland
  • 3Research Institute of Olympic Sports, Jyväskylä, Finland
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Publication History



October 6, 2001

Publication Date:
14 May 2002 (online)

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Abstract

Exercise-induced changes in postexercise pulmonary function have not been studied in healthy elite athletes in normal training conditions. Twelve healthy elite runners volunteered. They showed normal resting spirometry and bronchial responsiveness to histamine, and were non-atopic. They performed free running exercise challenge tests (ECT) at subzero temperature and immediately after highest birch pollen season. The mean maximal postexercise changes in FEV1, PEF, FVC, and FEV1/FVC did not differ between the cold air and pollen season ECTs. Compared with pre-exercise values, FEV1 increased significantly at 10 min (p = 0.028) and 20 min (p = 0.033) postexercise in the cold air ECT, as well as at 10 min (p = 0.024) and 20 min (p = 0.010) postexercise in the pollen season ECT. The mean (SEM) maximal postexercise change in FEV1 was mostly small + 2.6 (0.6)% in the winter and + 2.7 (0.9)% in the pollen season. In contrast, significant decreases in PEF, compared with baseline, were found at 10 min (p = 0.071) and 20 min (p = 0.0029) postexercise in the cold air ECT, as well as at 10 min (p = 0.060) and 20 min (p = 0.010) postexercise in the pollen season ECT (p = 0.0076). The mean (SEM) maximal postexercise fall in PEF was 5.9 (1.0)% in the winter and 6.0 (1.8)% in the pollen season. Heavy exercise challenge tests in extreme conditions increased FEV1 post-exercise, while PEF decreased as compared with pre-exercise values. Thus, even small postexercise falls in FEV1 may be considered as deviate exercise responses in elite athletes.

Key words

Athletes - pulmonary function - exercise challenge test

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I. HeleniusMD, PhD 

Department of Allergology · Skin and Allergy Hospital ·Helsinki University Central Hospital

Arhipanpolku 8b A · 00420 Helsinki · Finland ·

Phone: +358 (41) 465 0298

Fax: +358 (9) 4718 6500

Email: ilkka.helenius@helsinki.fi

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