Can EVH Results Predict Post-Exercise Changes in FEV₁ Following Interval and Continuous Exercise?

Area of Science:

• Respiratory Medicine
• Sports Physiology
• Pulmonary Function Testing

Background:

• Exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIBC) affects many recreationally active adults.
• The eucapnic voluntary hyperpnea (EVH) challenge is a standard method for diagnosing EIBC by measuring changes in forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV₁).
• The predictive value of the FEV₁ decline following an EVH challenge for post-exercise FEV₁ responses is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between FEV₁ decline after an EVH challenge and FEV₁ decline following different exercise modalities in individuals with EIBC.
• To determine if the EVH test can predict the severity of bronchoconstriction induced by various exercise protocols.

Main Methods:

• Participants with confirmed EIBC underwent an EVH challenge.
• Following the EVH challenge, participants completed three separate exercise sessions: continuous exercise (CONT), high-intensity interval exercise (HI), and sprint interval exercise (SPRT).
• Forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV₁) was measured before and after each exercise session, as well as after the EVH challenge.

Main Results:

• A 1% decline in FEV₁ post-EVH was associated with a 0.44% decline post-CONT, 0.85% decline post-HI, and 0.56% decline post-SPRT.
• The FEV₁ decline after the EVH challenge showed a significant association with the FEV₁ decline observed after all exercise conditions.
• The strongest association between EVH-induced FEV₁ decline and exercise-induced FEV₁ decline was observed following the high-intensity interval exercise (HI) protocol.

Conclusions:

• The FEV₁ decline following an EVH challenge is a significant predictor of post-exercise FEV₁ decline in adults with EIBC.
• The EVH challenge may serve as a useful tool for anticipating the impact of different exercise intensities on lung function in this population.
• These findings have potential implications for tailoring exercise prescriptions and enhancing asthma education for recreationally active individuals diagnosed with EIBC.