Association between Allergic Rhinitis and Regular Physical Activity in Adults: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Evidence regarding the association between allergic rhinitis (AR) and physical activity (PA) is conflicting. Previous studies have mostly relied only on self-reported symptoms to define AR, did not classify AR by severity or persistence, and included only children or athletes. The present cross-sectional study evaluated the association between PA and objectively-defined AR and its subtypes in the general adult population using data for 1932 eligible participants aged 19 years or older in the 2010 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to evaluate the relationship between three types of PA and overall AR, AR subtypes, and rhinoscopy findings showed that moderate-severe AR was positively associated with vigorous (odds ratio [OR] = 3.392, p = 0.002) and moderate (OR = 3.623, p = 0.007) PA compared to mild AR, while persistent AR was associated with vigorous (OR = 3.954, p = 0.004) and moderate (OR = 3.411, p = 0.022) PA compared to intermittent AR. On rhinoscopy, vigorous PA was significantly associated with watery rhinorrhea (OR = 2.203, p = 0.048) but not pale mucosa. Total immunoglobulin E (IgE) and three allergen-specific IgE were not significantly elevated in participants who performed PA. Therefore, regular vigorous PA is associated with subjective and objective aggravation of AR symptoms, which may not necessarily manifest as increased serum IgE levels.

Allergic rhinitis in Chinese young adults from the Singapore/Malaysia cross-sectional genetics epidemiology study (SMCGES) cohort: Prevalence, patterns, and epidemiology of allergic rhinitis

“… 44 , 45 , 46 Another study diagnosing AR using clinical symptoms in conjunction with an objective test of atopy found that vigorous physical activity increased the likelihood of severe and intermittent AR, and worsened rhinorrhea symptoms. 47 However, moderate-intensity exercise was found to decrease pro-inflammatory cytokine levels and improve AR symptoms. 48 Overall, while the association between physical activity and AR severity in AR cases remains to be further elucidated, the protective effect of physical activity against AR presentation appears to be consistent between studies.…”

Association between Physical Activity and Respiratory Diseases in Adolescents: An Age- and Gender-Matched Study

“…One of the reasons for decreased MVPA and increased SB was that adolescents who were diagnosed with allergic respiratory diseases might have concerns about exacerbations of their diseases while participating in PA. Although adolescents with allergic respiratory diseases are reluctant to participate in PA, it is important to know that PA or exercise is not a risk factor for asthma and participating in vigorous PA positively affected individuals with allergic respiratory disorders [ 43 , 44 ]. In addition, one of the studies also found that individuals who participated in regular PA (i.e., MVPA) do not worsen the allergic rhinitis symptoms [ 45 ] and factors such as regular participation in MVPA are important to consider because it improves their pulmonary function [ 46 ].…”

Association of stress management skills and stressful life events with allergy risk: a case-control study in southern China

“…The reason may due to the effect of physical activity on the induction and exacerbation of the allergic symptoms [ 48 ]. Another Korea research also proved that regular vigorous PA (physical activity) may aggravate AR (allergic rhinitis) symptoms by subjective or objective factors [ 49 ]. But there are different opinions and results.…”