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Dual Test Gas Pulmonary Diffusing Capacity Measurement During Exercise in Humans Using the Single-Breath Method
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Heart rate-based protocols for exercise challenge testing do not ensure sufficient exercise intensity for inducing
C Trümper1, S Mäueler, C Vobejda
1Department of Psychology and Sports Science, University of Bielefeld, Universitätsstr. 25, Bielefeld 33615, Germany. christian.truemper@uni-bielefeld.de
British Journal of Sports Medicine
|March 1, 2008
Summary
The standard exercise protocol for bronchial provocation testing may not induce exercise-induced bronchial obstruction in many individuals. A more precise protocol is needed to ensure sufficient exercise intensity for accurate results.
Area of Science:
- Exercise physiology
- Pulmonary function testing
- Sports medicine
Background:
- Exercise-induced bronchial obstruction (EIBO) is a common condition.
- Standard protocols for bronchial provocation testing aim to induce EIBO through exercise.
- The American Thoracic Society (ATS) provides guidelines for exercise challenge testing (ECT).
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate if the ATS-recommended heart rate-based protocol for ECT ensures adequate exercise intensity.
- To determine if this protocol is sufficient to induce exercise-induced bronchial obstruction (EIBO).
Main Methods:
- 100 healthy sports students underwent treadmill ECT.
- Heart rate (HR), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV(1)), pH, and lactate were measured pre- and post-exercise.
- The ATS guidelines were followed for exercise intensity and bronchial provocation.
Main Results:
- 56% of subjects had post-exercise lactate levels below 6 mmol/l, indicating insufficient anaerobic metabolism.
- Significant FEV(1) decrease was observed only at lactate concentrations > 6 mmol/l.
- Bronchial obstruction was detected in 5 subjects with lactate levels between 6.48 and 11.7 mmol/l.
Conclusions:
- The ATS heart rate-based protocol is insufficient to consistently induce anaerobic metabolism and EIBO.
- A significant portion of subjects (56%) did not achieve sufficient exercise intensity for EIBO induction.
- More precise exercise protocols are required for sensitive EIBO studies.
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