Evaluation of frequency of positive exercise-induced bronchospasm between swimmers and sedentary individuals

Abstract

Introduction: Despite the prevalence of prescribed asthma, there is uncertainty about the incidence of exercise-induced bronchospasm (EIB). Objective: Compare the frequency of EIB between swimmers and sedentary individuals, and observe heart rate variability during bronchial activity. Methods: In total, 18 swimmers (group 1) and 18 sedentary individuals (group 2) were included. The participants rested for 30 minutes for evaluation of HRV. Blood pressure (PA), respiratory rate (RR), and pulse oxygen saturation (SpO2) were measured. The volunteers remained seated for the spirometry test (maneuver of forced vital capacity -FVC). This was repeated 5, 10, 15, 20, and 30 minutes after the exercise test. The statistical analysis used the Student t, Mann Whitney, and Shapiro-Wilks tests. The significance level was p <0.05. Results: The spirometry findings showed 3 sedentary individuals and 10 swimmers with obstructive ventilatory disorder (OVD). Only 2 of the sedentary and none of the swimmer group demonstrated positive bronchial provocation. A key criterion for diagnosing OVD, the relationship between forced expiratory volume in one second and FVC (FEV1/FVC), was

Evaluation of exercise induced bronchoconstriction and rhinitis in adolescent elite swimmers

“…EIB typically begins in a few minutes after physical activity, and continues until the normalization of bronchial tone within 30–60 min during rest and it is defined as a temporary airflow obstruction without diagnosis of asthma after exercise. Thus, it is different from the exercise-induced asthma (EIA), which is an asthma symptom that occurs after exercise [ 5 , 6 ]. Although increased parasympathetic activity have been documented in these athletes compared to sedentary individuals, the pathophysiology of EIB is not clearly defined yet [ 4 ].…”

“…Athletes who undergo intense training regimens should be tested with spirometry and bronchial provocation tests even without history of disease [ 5 ]. Swimmers have larger “Forced Vital Capacity (FVC)” and greater one second “Forced Expiratory Volume (FEV)” compared to other athletes with a higher ventilation rate [ 10 , 11 ].…”

“…Supportively, horizontal swimming position simplifies air to enter the upper part of the lungs, thus vital capacity improves more in swimming than other branches [ 12 ]. In addition, EIB is characterized by a decrease of FEV in a second ≥10% [ 5 ].…”