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

The eucapnic voluntary hyperpnea (EVH) challenge is used to determine the presence of exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIBC) by monitoring changes in forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV₁). However, the predictability of the post-EVH decline in FEV₁ on post-exercise FEV₁ remains unclear. Participants completed an EVH challenge to confirm EIBC and completed a continuous exercise (CONT; n = 21), high-intensity interval exercise (HI; n = 13), and sprint interval exercise (SPRT; n = 8) sessions on separate days. FEV₁ was assessed pre- and post exercise. A 1% decline in FEV₁, post EVH was associated with 0.44%, 0.85%, and 0.56% declines in FEV₁ post CONT, post HI, and post SPRT, respectively. The decline in FEV₁ following the EVH challenge was associated with the decline in FEV₁ following all exercise conditions, with the strongest association being observed following HI. These findings may have implications for exercise prescription and asthma education for recreationally active adults with EIBC.