Related Experiment Videos
Unrecognized exercise-induced bronchospasm in adolescent athletes.
N T Rupp1, M F Guill, D S Brudno
1Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta 30912.
American Journal of Diseases of Children (1960)
|August 1, 1992
Summary
Screening identified a 29% occurrence of undiagnosed exercise-induced bronchospasm (EIB) in at-risk student athletes. These findings suggest broader screening may be beneficial for adolescent athletes to detect EIB.
Area of Science:
- Sports Medicine
- Pulmonology
- Pediatric Health
Background:
- Exercise-induced bronchospasm (EIB) is a common condition affecting athletes.
- Preparticipation physical examinations offer an opportunity to screen for EIB risk factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of unrecognized exercise-induced bronchospasm (EIB) in middle and high school student athletes.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of screening questionnaires and spirometry in identifying athletes at risk for EIB.
Main Methods:
- 1241 student athletes completed questionnaires and interviews regarding EIB risk factors.
- Baseline spirometry was performed, and athletes with risk factors or abnormal spirometry results were eligible for exercise challenge.
- Exercise challenge involved a standard treadmill protocol to assess FEV1 reduction.
Main Results:
- Of 348 eligible students, 230 underwent exercise challenge, with 29% showing a >20% reduction in FEV1, indicating previously undiagnosed EIB.
- Athletes with both risk factors and abnormal spirometry had the highest EIB prevalence (61%).
- Overall, 12% of the total athlete population screened were identified with EIB.
Conclusions:
- The prevalence of undiagnosed EIB in at-risk adolescent athletes is significant.
- Screening methods combining medical history and spirometry can effectively identify athletes with EIB.
- Findings support the potential need for more comprehensive EIB screening in adolescent athletes.