Airway dysfunction in elite swimmers: prevalence, impact, and challenges

Area of Science:

• Sports Medicine
• Respiratory Medicine
• Environmental Health

Background:

• Elite swimmers exhibit high rates of airway dysfunction, challenging the notion of self-selection due to prior respiratory issues.
• Evidence suggests that environmental factors and training regimens, rather than inherent conditions, contribute to these respiratory problems.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the causes of airway dysfunction in elite swimmers.
• To examine the impact of airway dysfunction on swimming performance and lung development.
• To assess the potential for reversibility of airway dysfunction after retirement.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies investigating respiratory health in elite swimmers.
• Analysis of factors including chlorine exposure, endurance training, and atopy.
• Examination of performance data and lung function in relation to airway conditions.

Main Results:

• Elite swimmers show a high prevalence of bronchial tone disorders, not explained by natural selection bias.
• Combined exposure to chlorine by-products and chronic endurance training are identified as key contributors to airway dysfunction and atopy.
• Airway dysfunction does not impede elite swimming success and may not inhibit lung growth.

Conclusions:

• Airway dysfunction in elite swimmers is primarily an acquired condition resulting from training and environmental exposures.
• This condition does not preclude achieving elite performance in swimming.
• Partial reversibility of airway dysfunction may occur after cessation of competitive swimming.