Qualitative identification and characterisation of self-reported symptoms arising in humans during experimental exposure to cold air

Sjöström, Rita; Söderström, Lars; Klockmo, Carolina; Patrician, Alexander; Sandström, Thomas; Björklund, Glenn; Hanstock, Helen G.; Stenfors, Nikolai

doi:10.1080/22423982.2019.1583528

Cited by 11 publications

(19 citation statements)

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“…In particular, short-duration, near-maximal exercise in cold environments and competition-like settings has been linked to a high incidence of EIB during screening of winter athletes (Heir and Larsen 1995 ; Wilber et al 2000 ; Kennedy et al 2019 ). Seasonal increases in airway inflammatory biomarkers have recently been highlighted in winter endurance athletes without asthma (Kennedy et al 2016 ; Kurowski et al 2018 ), while respiratory symptoms, including post-exercise cough following training and competition in cold climates are also commonly reported (Kennedy et al 2016 ; Kennedy and Faulhaber 2018 ; Sjöström et al 2019 ). Thus, asthmatic and non-asthmatic athletes alike could potentially benefit from preventive strategies to maintain normal respiratory function during exercise in sub-zero temperatures.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A heat and moisture-exchanging mask impairs self-paced maximal running performance in a sub-zero environment

et al. 2021

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Purpose Heat-and-moisture-exchanging devices (HME) are commonly used by endurance athletes during training in sub-zero environments, but their effects on performance are unknown. We investigated the influence of HME usage on running performance at − 15 °C. Methods Twenty-three healthy adults (15 male, 8 female; age 18–53 years; $$\dot{V}{\text O}_{2peak}$$ V ˙ O 2 p e a k men 56 ± 7, women 50 ± 4 mL·kg−1·min−1) performed two treadmill exercise tests with and without a mask-style HME in a randomised, crossover design. Participants performed a 30-min submaximal warm-up (SUB), followed by a 4-min maximal, self-paced running time-trial (TT). Heart rate (HR), respiratory frequency (fR), and thoracic area skin temperature (Tsk) were monitored using a chest-strap device; muscle oxygenation (SmO2) and deoxyhaemoglobin concentration ([HHb]) were derived from near-infra-red-spectroscopy sensors on m. vastus lateralis; blood lactate was measured 2 min before and after the TT. Results HME usage reduced distance covered in the TT by 1.4%, despite similar perceived exertion, HR, fR, and lactate accumulation. The magnitude of the negative effect of the HME on performance was positively associated with body mass (r2 = 0.22). SmO2 and [HHb] were 3.1% lower and 0.35 arb. unit higher, respectively, during the TT with HME, and Tsk was 0.66 °C higher during the HME TT in men. HR (+ 2.7 beats·min−1) and Tsk (+ 0.34 °C) were higher during SUB with HME. In the male participants, SmO2 was 3.8% lower and [HHb] 0.42 arb. unit higher during SUB with HME. Conclusion Our findings suggest that HME usage impairs maximal running performance and increases the physiological demands of submaximal exercise.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A heat and moisture-exchanging mask impairs self-paced maximal running performance in a sub-zero environment

et al. 2021

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“…Studies from Finland show that up to 50% of the population report at least some cold-related symptoms (Harju et al, 2010 ; Näyhä et al, 2011 ) and that symptoms appear to be more common in women than men (Näyhä et al, 2011 ). A recent study found that experimental exposure to sub-zero temperatures at rest and when performing light exercise elicited 50 distinct symptoms among healthy subjects and patients with obstructive lung disease (Sjöström et al, 2019 ). Respiratory symptoms are also very common among children undertaking physical activity in cold temperatures (Rasi et al, 2017 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exercise in Sub-zero Temperatures and Airway Health: Implications for Athletes With Special Focus on Heat-and-Moisture-Exchanging Breathing Devices

Hanstock

Ainegren

Stenfors

2020

Front. Sports Act. Living

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Asthma is highly prevalent among winter endurance athletes. This “occupational disease” of cross-country skiers, among others, was acknowledged during the 1990s, with the pathogenesis attributed to repeated and prolonged exposure to cold, dry air combined with high rates of ventilation during exercise. Nevertheless, more than 25 years later, the prevalence of asthma among Scandinavian cross-country skiers is unchanged, and prevention remains a primary concern for sports physicians. Heat-and-moisture-exchanging breathing devices (HMEs) prevent exercise-induced bronchoconstriction in subjects with pre-existing disease and may have potential as a preventative intervention for healthy athletes undertaking training and competition in winter endurance sports. Herein we firstly provide an overview of the influence of temperature and humidity on airway health and the implications for athletes training and competing in sub-zero temperatures. We thereafter describe the properties and effects of HMEs, identify gaps in current understanding, and suggest avenues for future research.

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“…Each study subject was exposed on two separate occasions, at least one week apart. The environmental chamber is located at the Swedish Winter Sports Research Centre, Mid Sweden University, Östersund, and has been described elsewhere [ 34 ]. The study was carried out during April–June 2017, and the mean (range) outdoor temperature during the exposures was 8.3 (0.2–19.5) °C.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…One questionnaire had previously been used in experimental exposure studies on air pollutants [ 38 ]. The other questionnaire was based on interviews during cold-exposure and simultaneous intermittent easy-moderate exercise for 1 h [ 34 ]. The symptoms inquired for in the questionnaires are presented in Table 2 and 4 Table 5 .…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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An experimental exposure study revealing composite airway effects of physical exercise in a subzero environment

Eriksson

Schagatay

Tufvesson

et al. 2021

International Journal of Circumpolar Health

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Exposure to a cold climate is associated with an increased morbidity and mortality, but the specific mechanisms are largely unknown. People with cardiopulmonary disease and winter endurance athletes are particularly vulnerable. This study aimed to map multiple domains of airway responses to exercise in subzero temperature in healthy individuals. Thirty-one healthy subjects underwent whole-body exposures for 50 minutes on two occasions in an environmental chamber with intermittent moderate-intensity exercise in +10 °C and-10 °C. Lung function, plasma/urine CC16 , and symptoms were investigated before and after exposures. Compared to baseline, exercise in-10 °C decreased FEV 1 (p=0.002), FEV 1 /FVC (p<0.001), and increased R20Hz (p=0.016), with no differences between exposures. Reactance increased after +10 °C (p=0.005), which differed (p=0.042) from a blunted response after exercise in-10 °C. Plasma CC16 increased significantly within exposures, without differences between exposures. Exercise in-10 °C elicited more intense symptoms from the upper airways, compared to +10 °C. Symptoms from the lower airways were few and mild. Short-duration moderate-intensity exercise in-10 °C induces mild symptoms from the lower airways, no lung function decrements or enhanced leakage of biomarkers of airway epithelial injury, and no peripheral bronchodilatation, compared to exercise in +10 °C.

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Qualitative identification and characterisation of self-reported symptoms arising in humans during experimental exposure to cold air

Abstract: Stenfors (2019) Qualitative identification and characterisation of self-reported symptoms arising in humans during experimental exposure to cold air,

Cited by 11 publications

References 38 publications

A heat and moisture-exchanging mask impairs self-paced maximal running performance in a sub-zero environment

A heat and moisture-exchanging mask impairs self-paced maximal running performance in a sub-zero environment

Exercise in Sub-zero Temperatures and Airway Health: Implications for Athletes With Special Focus on Heat-and-Moisture-Exchanging Breathing Devices

An experimental exposure study revealing composite airway effects of physical exercise in a subzero environment

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