Impaired sports performance of athletes suffering from pollen-induced allergic rhinitis: a cross-sectional, observational survey in German athletes

Tackling nasal symptoms in athletes: Moving towards personalized medicine

“…Unfortunately, very little studies have evaluated the direct impact of nasal dysfunction on athletic performances; however, there are some papers available that suggest the presence of this link; a recent questionnaire-based study including more than 600 marathon runners demonstrated that over 80% of athletes suffering from AR reported an impact on their performances, based on how often their training activities were disturbed (reduced, postponed or shifted to indoor)during the pollen season. 22 12.5% of the runners could not at all exercise because of pollen allergy during the season and another 10% of participants was affected in more than every second training units/sessions. Another questionnaire-based study questioned recreational athletes suffering from self-reported exercise-induced rhinitis and found that around 45% of these individuals answered 'yes' to the question whether their nasal symptoms adversely affected their athletic performances in a moderate or severe way.…”

“…To our knowledge, there is only one study that included athletes on AIT; this German questionnaire-based study compared athletes with AR treated by AIT to athletes with AR treated by either pharmacological or non-pharmacological alternative treatments. 22 Although appropriate statistical calculations are missing, they show that in athletes treated by AIT, the pollen season had a lower effect on their trainings, compared to AR athletes treated by other means. These results might be biased by the fact that AIT patients per definition have sought medical help and are in medical follow-up, while this is not necessarily the case for the other groups.…”

“…However, therapeutic adherence is an important issue in athletes 22 and participation of both patient and healthcare provider forms an essential part of their treatment. They should be informed about their disease and its impact, efficacy of pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments, possible side effects and how they fit within the WADA regulations.…”

Tackling nasal symptoms in athletes: moving towards personalized medicine

“…Unfortunately, very little studies have evaluated the direct impact of nasal dysfunction on athletic performances; however, there are some papers available that suggest the presence of this link; a recent questionnaire-based study including more than 600 marathon runners demonstrated that over 80% of athletes suffering from AR reported an impact on their performances, based on how often their training activities were disturbed (reduced, postponed or shifted to indoor)during the pollen season. 22 12.5% of the runners could not at all exercise because of pollen allergy during the season and another 10% of participants was affected in more than every second training units/sessions. Another questionnaire-based study questioned recreational athletes suffering from self-reported exercise-induced rhinitis and found that around 45% of these individuals answered 'yes'…”

“…However, therapeutic adherence is an important issue in athletes 22 and participation of both patient and healthcare provider forms an essential part of their treatment. They should be informed about their disease and its impact, efficacy of pharmacological and TA B L E 2 Application of the 4P's-concept of personalized medicine for the management of nasal symptoms within the athletic population Abbreviations: AH, antihistamine; AIT, allergen immunotherapy; BHR, bronchial hyperreactivity; NHR, nasal hyperreactivity; NOSE, nasal obstruction symptom evaluation; QOL, quality of life; RQLQ, rhinoconjunctivitis quality of life questionnaire; SNOT, sinonasal outcome test; WADA, world antidoping agency non-pharmacological treatments, possible side effects and how they fit within the WADA regulations.…”