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Airway dysfunction and inflammation in pool- and non-pool-based elite athletes
Neil Martin1, Martin R Lindley, Beverley Hargadon
1Institute for Lung Health, Department for Respiratory Medicine, Glenfield Hospital, University Hospitals Leicester NHS Trust, Leicester, England, United Kingdom. nmartin@doctors.org.uk
Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise
|February 3, 2012
Summary
Elite swimmers show increased airway hyper-reactivity but not eosinophilic inflammation compared to other athletes. Positive eucapnic voluntary hyperventilation (EVH) tests correlate with airway inflammation markers in athletes.
Area of Science:
- Sports Medicine
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Exercise Physiology
Background:
- Elite athletes, particularly swimmers, may experience exercise-induced asthma.
- Understanding airway dysfunction and inflammation is crucial for athlete health and performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare airway dysfunction and inflammation in pool-based versus non-pool-based athletes.
- To identify factors associated with airway hyper-reactivity (AHR) and inflammation.
Main Methods:
- 118 symptomatic athletes completed spirometry, symptom scores, exhaled nitric oxide measurements, and eucapnic voluntary hyperventilation (EVH) tests.
- Post-challenge induced sputum and urine tests were performed to assess airway inflammation.
Main Results:
- Pool-based athletes exhibited better lung function (FEV1, FVC) and significantly higher AHR.
- A greater percentage of pool-based athletes had a positive EVH test (72% vs 39%).
- No significant differences in eosinophilic inflammation (sputum eosinophils, exhaled nitric oxide) were found between groups.
Conclusions:
- Pool-based endurance athletes demonstrate greater AHR but not eosinophilic airway inflammation.
- Positive EVH test results were linked to less neutrophilic inflammation and more epithelial cells in sputum.
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