Feasibility to apply eucapnic voluntary hyperventilation in young elite athletes

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Sports Medicine
• Pulmonology
• Exercise Physiology

Background:

• Exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) is more prevalent in athletes than the general population.
• The eucapnic voluntary hyperventilation (EVH) test is a standard method for diagnosing EIB in adult athletes.
• The applicability and efficacy of the EVH test in young athletes remain under investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the feasibility and diagnostic utility of the EVH test for detecting EIB in young elite athletes aged 12-14 years.
• To determine the prevalence of EIB in different sports disciplines among young athletes.
• To assess the suitability of current EVH testing guidelines for this demographic.

Main Methods:

• Recruitment of young athletes (basketball, football, swimming) and age-matched controls at the onset of their elite careers.
• Performance of the eucapnic voluntary hyperventilation (EVH) test according to ATS guidelines.
• Repeated measurements over two years to assess test-retest reliability and disease progression.

Main Results:

• A significant proportion of young athletes, especially swimmers, exhibited EIB at initial evaluation.
• The standard adult target ventilation rate (>85% MVV) was challenging for most young athletes to achieve.
• A modified threshold of 70% MVV (21x FEV1) proved feasible for the majority of participants.

Conclusions:

• EIB is a considerable issue in young elite athletes, highlighting the need for early screening.
• The EVH test is a viable diagnostic tool for EIB in young athletes.
• Adjusting target ventilation rates is crucial for accurate EIB assessment in this population.