Respiratory Symptoms and Bronchial Responsiveness in Competitive Swimmers

Abstract

BHR was frequently found among adolescent competitive swimmers. PD(20 methacholine) ≤2 μmol and EVH ≥ 10% compared well, but PD(20 methacholine) ≤4 μmol had the highest sensitivity for respiratory symptoms. The EVH test has high repeatability but is very expensive and uncomfortable to perform.

Diagnosing Exercise-Induced Bronchoconstriction With Eucapnic Voluntary Hyperpnea: Is One Test Enough?

“…This was despite strict regulation of training and environmental conditions between visits and similar ventilation during the challenge. Therefore when applying a threshold of ≥10% fall in FEV1 for the diagnosis of EIB (27) Previous research evaluating EVH indicates good reproducibility in the maximum fall in FEV1 following the challenge (16,17). Argyros and colleagues (17) observed no difference in the degree of bronchoconstriction over a 6-week period following EVH.…”

“…However, there is sparse data regarding the reproducibility of EVH (16,17) and the inherent variability in any test has pragmatic implications for evaluating the effectiveness of a diagnostic tool in Price et al 7 screening programmes and interventions. Moreover, the reliability of EVH testing in the population of athletes in whom EVH screening has been advocated (i.e.…”

Reproducibility of the bronchoconstrictive response to eucapnic voluntary hyperpnoea

“…5,6 Diagnosis of EIB should not be based exclusively on self-reported symptoms 7-9 as they lack sensitivity and specificity. [10][11][12][13][14] Instead, EIB diagnosis should be objective and based on a fall in forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV 1 ) after an exercise challenge, or a surrogate for exercise such as eucapnic voluntary hyperpnoea (EVH). 7,9 Exercise challenges are highly specific, but they lack sensitivity and thus the rate of false-negative diagnoses can be high.…”

The European Union conference on chronic respiratory disease: purpose and conclusions

“…2) [31]. Young athletes often develop asthma and bronchial hyperresponsiveness, as asthma symptoms were recently demonstrated in 83% of adolescent competitive swimmers and bronchial hyperresponsiveness in 71% [32]. This may also have dramatic consequences.…”