Swimming and Asthma: Differences between Women and Men

Area of Science:

• Sports Medicine
• Pulmonology
• Exercise Physiology

Background:

• Asthma is prevalent in endurance athletes, particularly swimmers.
• Understanding gender-specific differences in asthma and related symptoms is crucial for athlete well-being.
• The impact of exercise intensity on asthmatic symptoms in swimmers requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate gender differences in asthma, allergy, and asthmatic symptoms among competitive swimmers.
• To examine the effects of varying exercise intensities on asthmatic symptoms in competitive swimmers.

Main Methods:

• A questionnaire-based study involving 300 highly trained swimmers (156 females, 144 males).
• Data collected on asthma diagnosis, allergies, respiratory symptoms, and training history.
• Analysis focused on gender comparisons and the influence of swimming intensity on symptoms in asthmatic swimmers.

Main Results:

• Physician-diagnosed asthma prevalence was 19% in both genders, with no significant gender difference.
• Male swimmers reported allergies significantly more often than females.
• Asthmatic females reported significantly more respiratory symptoms, particularly during moderate-intensity swimming (e.g., coughing), compared to males.

Conclusions:

• No gender disparity in asthma prevalence was observed in this cohort of swimmers.
• Allergies are more common in male swimmers, while asthmatic females experience more exercise-induced symptoms.
• Moderate-intensity swimming may exacerbate respiratory symptoms in asthmatic female swimmers.