Prevalence of Exercise-Induced Bronchoconstriction Measured by Standardized Testing in Healthy College Athletes

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) can lead to long-term respiratory illness and even death. EIB prevalence rates are both high and variable in college athletes. Prevalence rates may be underestimated due to ineffective testing and screening. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of EIB in college athletes by a standardized EIB test that can be used on many college campuses. In addition, we assessed the usefulness of self-reporting EIB/asthma (1) history, (2) symptoms, and (3) respiratory medication obtained from a simple screening questionnaire for predicting an EIB-positive athlete. METHODS: A standardized EIB test and self-report questionnaire were administered to college athletes on 10 different sports teams. Information collected included pulmonary function (spirometry), expired gas analysis (maximal oxygen uptake), CO 2 production, minute ventilation, EIB/asthma history, current symptoms, and medication use. RESULTS: Results showed that 34 of 80 athletes (42.5%) were EIB-positive by standardized exercise testing. The majority (76.5 and 58.8%) of the 34 athletes who tested positive self-reported a negative history or no symptoms, respectively. Also, 79.4% of the athletes who tested positive for EIB reported not using a respiratory medication. There were no significant differences in a positive EIB test when assessing interactions for history (P ‫؍‬ .93), current symptoms (P ‫؍‬ .12), or respiratory medication use (P ‫؍‬ .66). CONCLUSIONS: A high proportion of college athletes tested positive for EIB when using a standardized test. Positive history, current symptoms of EIB/asthma, and respiratory medication use were not predictive of a positive test. Many EIB-positive athletes are not using a respiratory medication. More work is needed to develop an effective screening tool and improve education for EIB in college athletes.

Is Exercise-Induced Bronchoconstriction Exercise-Induced Asthma?

“…Their reproduced dyspnea on exertion was associated with various physiological findings. The difference in prevalence of EIB between our study 5 and other SEE THE ORIGINAL STUDY ON PAGE 571 reports of EIB in subjects without asthma, including that of Burnett et al, 1 is probably related to the more stringent criteria we used to define positive EIB. Our study included a higher cutoff value (drop in FEV 1 of Ͼ15% as opposed to Ͼ10%) than the study published in this issue of the Journal.…”

“…Is a Ͼ10% decrease in FEV 1 subsequent to exercise in the absence of clinical dyspnea sufficient for the diagnosis of exercise-induced asthma? The presence of EIB in a child without symptoms of asthma may be, as suggested by Burnett et al, 1 predictive that some minority will eventually develop symptoms of asthma, but most apparently will not. This study as well as most previous studies relating to EIB and asthma symptoms are cross-sectional.…”

“…The article in this issue of RESPIRATORY CARE by Burnett et al 1 reports that 34 of 80 college athletes had exerciseinduced bronchoconstriction (EIB), most in the absence of symptoms. The authors further suggest that these athletes are at risk and that the identification of those with EIB may prevent morbidity and mortality.…”

Prevalence and Characteristics of Exercise-Induced Bronchoconstriction in High School and College Athletes at 2,240 m Altitude

“…a large multicenter study in adolescents found that the prevalence of self-reported respiratory symptoms associated with exercise varied greatly, from 6.9 to 37.5% 14 . Similarly, a number of studies in athletes have indicated that the prevalence of self-reported exercise-induced respiratory symptoms ranged from 11 to 26%, but these figures increased to more than 40% in some sports when an exercise challenge documented the eIB 8,9 . Compared with these works, the 7.2% prevalence of eIB found in our study appears to be relatively low.…”

“…It has been estimated that in some high endurance sports, more than 40% of athletes present eIB [8][9][10] , with only a small percentage of these cases linked with a diagnosis of asthma. to our knowledge, in Mexico the prevalence of eIB in athletes is unknown.…”