High Incidence of Bronchospastic Response to a Stair Climbing Exercise

Background While it is increasingly recognized that exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) affects a substantial proportion of sport participants, the relation of EIB incidence and severity to the type and intensity of exertion remains under-investigated. The aim of this study was to establish the incidence and severity of EIB during a stair race, a highly demanding all-out effort exercise. We hypothesized that a large proportion of participants would develop EIB to this particular high-intensity competition, and that among the predisposing factors, severity of EIB would depend on the level of exertion. Methodology In this study, screening for EIB was conducted during the official competitive race to a 114-m skyscraper held during the late spring in a city center of approximately 0.5 million residents. Healthy active men (n = 26; age = 32.0 ± 7.0 years) volunteering for the study from the field of the race were included. Allergy Questionnaire for Athletes was completed, and responses of expiratory capacity (forced expiratory volume in the first second, FEV1) and blood lactate were measured by portable digital devices. Results On average, FEV1 dropped by 10.5 ± 5.6% after the exercise. In 11 (approximately 42.5%) participants, FEV1 drop was >10%, indicative of clinical EIB. While age, anthropometry, training experience, allergy history, baseline FEV1, and post-exercise lactate did not differ in responders versus non-responders, those with FEV1 decrement of >10% were slower in the race. Conclusions Due to very high incidence of EIB observed in active men performing a maximal-effort task and negative association of EIB with competitive performance, the condition of these individuals undertaking regular intense exercise deserves more attention.