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Published on: February 9, 2022
Prevalence of obstructive airflow limitation in Irish collegiate athletes
Background:
Asthma prevalence in athletes is variable, depending on the sport and training conditions.
Aims:
To investigate the prevalence of obstructive airflow limitation, asthma control and lung volume differences in a control group and five groups of collegiate athletes--outdoor field, indoor court, endurance, combat sports and swimming.
Methods:
Three hundred and five athletes completed a respiratory questionnaire and performed spirometry during normal training conditions, to determine FEV1, FVC and PEFR pre- and at 5, 10 and 15 minutes post-exercise. Between and within group analysis was carried out using single factor and repeated measures ANOVA.
Results:
Previous diagnosis of asthma was reported by 24%, outdoor field sports 4.9%, indoor court sports 2.3%, endurance events 2.6%, combat sports 3%, swimming 6.9% and controls 4.3%. Mean FEV1 and FVC data, expressed as percentage of predicted, were greatest in swimming and lowest in controls. Swimming showed a significant rise in FEV1 post-exercise, indoor court and endurance sports demonstrated no change and outdoor field, combat and control groups showed a fall in FEV1 post-exercise.
Conclusion:
Warm humid training conditions appear protective against exercise-induced asthma. The greatest reductions in lung volumes occurred following high intensity exercise under cool conditions in the poorly aerobically conditioned.
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