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Allergy and sports: exercise-induced asthma
1Cattedra di Fisiopatologia Respiratoria, Università di Genova, Italy.
International Journal of Sports Medicine
|October 1, 1994
Summary
Exercise-induced bronchospasm in asthma is triggered by airway cooling and dehydration during exercise. Current research debates the exact mechanisms, focusing on airway inflammation and potential late-phase responses.
Area of Science:
- Respiratory Medicine
- Pulmonary Physiology
Background:
- Exercise-induced bronchospasm (EIB) is a common asthma symptom.
- It is typically initiated by airway cooling and dehydration from hyperpnea during exercise.
- The precise mechanisms linking thermal changes to airway narrowing remain debated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the controversial mechanisms of exercise-induced asthma.
- To discuss the role of airway inflammation and late-phase responses in EIB.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing hypotheses on EIB.
- Analysis of data regarding airway inflammation markers.
- Evaluation of late-phase responses in the context of exercise.
Main Results:
- Two primary hypotheses for EIB mechanisms exist: osmolarity changes and rewarming-induced vasodilation.
- Airway inflammation, indicated by eosinophils and epithelial cells, likely contributes to EIB.
- Evidence for a distinct late-phase response to exercise is questionable, potentially reflecting underlying airway instability.
Conclusions:
- The pathophysiology of exercise-induced bronchospasm involves complex interactions between thermal stimuli and airway inflammation.
- While eosinophilic inflammation may predispose individuals to delayed bronchoconstriction post-exercise, a true late-phase response specific to exercise is not well-established.