Exercise-induced bronchospasm prevalence in collegiate cross-country runners

Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2001 Oct;33(10):1641-6. doi: 10.1097/00005768-200110000-00005.

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of exercise-induced bronchospasm (EIB) in collegiate cross-country runners using a protocol involving an intense exercise challenge conducted in the same environment in which the athletes train and compete.

Methods: One-hundred eighteen collegiate cross-country runners from the Los Angeles, California, metropolitan area participated in the study. All testing took place on a track at the time and location of a normal practice session. The baseline peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) measurements (best of three) and preexercise heart rate were recorded, after which the athletes ran 2000 m on a track at 85% of maximum heart rate. The postexercise heart rate was recorded and then PEFR measurements at 2, 5, 10, and 30 min after exercise were recorded. The athletes completed a 16-item questionnaire regarding asthma symptoms and health history. Those athletes with a history of asthma and currently taking medications for the asthma were then excluded from statistical analysis of the questionnaire responses. A decrease in PEFR of 15% was considered positive for EIB.

Results: Of the 114 athletes not currently taking medications for asthma, at least 14% (16 athletes) were EIB positive. There was a poor correlation between reported symptoms of asthma and testing positive for EIB.

Conclusion: This study demonstrates a high prevalence of EIB in collegiate cross-country runners (at least 14%) and that reported symptoms are a poor predictor of actual EIB.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Asthma, Exercise-Induced / drug therapy
  • Asthma, Exercise-Induced / epidemiology*
  • Asthma, Exercise-Induced / physiopathology
  • California / epidemiology
  • Environment
  • Exercise / physiology*
  • Exercise Test
  • Female
  • Heart Rate / physiology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Peak Expiratory Flow Rate / physiology
  • Running / physiology*
  • Students
  • Surveys and Questionnaires