Asthma and Exercise-Induced Bronchoconstriction in Amateur Endurance-Trained Athletes

Abstract

High-level endurance training contributes to the development of asthma and exercise-induced bronchoconstriction but the effect of moderate endurance training on airway function remains to be determined. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of physician-diagnosed asthma and/or exercise-induced bronchoconstriction in moderately endurance-trained athletes. Ninety-five Mediterranean amateur endurance-trained athletes filled out a questionnaire about respiratory disorders and underwent a resting spirometry. Mean training volume was 10 h per week. The prevalence of asthma was found to be 4.2 %. All the athletes with asthma plus another one (5.3 %) reported having exercise-induced bronchoconstriction. These percentages are in the same range as those from the general population and much lower than those observed in elite endurance athletes. In contrast to elite athletes, our amateur endurance-trained athletes seem not exposed to a higher risk of asthma or exercise-induced bronchoconstriction than the general population. We suggest that 10 h per week of moderate endurance training in a temperate climate area does not lead to respiratory disease.

Key words

Exercise-induced bronchospasm - endurance training

References

• 1 American Thoracic Society .Standardization of Spirometry, 1994 Update. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 1995 152: 1107-1136
• 2 Anderson S D, Holzer K. Exercise-induced asthma: is it the right diagnosis in elite athletes.  J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2000;  106 419-428
• 3 Helenius I, Haahtela T. Allergy and asthma in elite summer sport athletes.  J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2000;  106 444-452
• 4 Helenius I J, Tikkanen H O, Haahtela T. Association between type of training and risk of asthma in elite athletes.  Thorax. 1997;  52 157-160
• 5 Helenius I J, Tikkanen H O, Sarna S, Haahtela T. Asthma and increased bronchial responsiveness in elite athletes: atopy and sport event as risk factors.  J Allergy Clin Immunol. 1998;  101 646-652
• 6 Langdeau J B, Boulet L P. Prevalence and mechanisms of development of asthma and airway hyperresponsiveness in athletes.  Sports Med. 2001;  31 601-616
• 7 Neukirch F, Pin I, Knani J, Henry C, Pison C, Liard R, Romazzini S, Bousquet J. Prevalence of asthma and asthma-like symptoms in three French cities.  Respir Med. 1995;  89 685-692
• 8 Nystad W, Harris J, Borgen J S. Asthma and wheezing among Norwegian elite athletes.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2000;  32 266-270
• 9 Omori C, Schofield B H, Mitzner W, Freed A N. Hyperpnea with dry air causes time-dependent alterations in mucosal morphology and bronchovascular permeability.  J Appl Physiol. 1995;  78 1043-1051
• 10 Quanjer P H, Tammeling G J, Cotes J E, Pedersen O F, Peslin R, Yernault J C. Lung volumes and forced ventilatory flows. Report Working Party Standardization of Lung Function Tests, European Community for Steel and Coal. Official Statement of the European Respiratory Society.  Eur Respir J Suppl. 1993;  16 5-40
• 11 Rundell K W, Jenkinson D M. Exercise-induced bronchospasm in the elite athlete.  Sports Med. 2002;  32 583-600
• 12 Voy R O. The US Olympic Committee experience with exercise-induced bronchospasm, 1984.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1986;  18 328-330
• 13 Weiler J M, Layton T, Hunt M. Asthma in United States olympic athletes who participated in the 1996 summer games.  J Allergy Clin Immunol. 1998;  102 722-726
• 14 Weiler J M, Ryan E J 3rd. Asthma in United States olympic athletes who participated in the 1998 olympic winter games.  J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2000;  106 267-271
• 15 Wilber R L, Rundell K W, Szmedra L, Jenkinson D M, Im J, Drake S D. Incidence of exercise-induced bronchospasm in Olympic winter sport athletes.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2000;  32 732-737