Prevalence of obstructive airflow limitation in Irish collegiate athletes

Background Asthma prevalence in athletes is variable, depending on the sport and training conditions. Aims To investigate the prevalence of obstructive airflow limitation, asthma control and lung volume differences in a control group and five groups of collegiate athletes - outdoor field, indoor court, endurance, combat sports and swimming. Methods Three hundred and five athletes completed a respiratory questionnaire and performed spirometry during normal training conditions, to determine FEV1, FVC and PEFR pre- and at 5, 10 and 15 minutes post-exercise. Between and within group analysis was carried out using single factor and repeated measures ANOVA. Results Previous diagnosis of asthma was reported by 24%, outdoor field sports 4.9%, indoor court sports 2.3%, endurance events 2.6%, combat sports 3%, swimming 6.9% and controls 4.3%. Mean FEV1 and FVC data, expressed as percentage of predicted, were greatest in swimming and lowest in controls. Swimming showed a significant rise in FEV1 post-exercise, indoor court and endurance sports demonstrated no change and outdoor field, combat and control groups showed a fall in FEV1 post-exercise. Conclusion Warm humid training conditions appear protective against exercise-induced asthma. The greatest reductions in lung volumes occurred following high intensity exercise under cool conditions in the poorly aerobically conditioned.