ASTHMA AND INCREASED BRONCHIAL RESPONSIVENESS IN ELITE SWIMMERS1636

Abstract

We investigated the occurrence of asthma in 42 elite swimmers, age 19±3 yrs (mean±SD), and 41 nonathletic students, age 25±4 yrs. The swimmers had competed actively for a mean of 9 yrs, and they had swum a mean distance of 1780 km during the previous training year. The subjects answered to a respiratory-symptom questionnaire, were interviewed, performed resting spirometric examination and were subjected to a histamine challenge test. Skin prick testing for atopy was performed with ten air-borne allergens. Asthma was defined as increased bronchial responsiveness(PD15FEV1≤1.6 mg) together with an exercise-induced bronchial symptom (shortness of breath, wheeze or cough). Six (15%) of the swimmers used currently inhaled steroids. At rest, FEV1 was significantly (t-test, p<0.01) larger in swimmers compared with control subjects (means 102% and 95% of predicted value, respectively). Twenty-one (50%) of the swimmers and 14(34%) of the controls were atopic. Asthma was observed in 26% (11/42) of the swimmers and in 2% (1/41) of the controls (Fisher's exact test, p=0.003). Increased bronchial responsiveness was found in 36% (15/42) of the swimmers, and in 12% (5/41) of the controls (Fisher's exact test, p=0.02). Of the hypersensitive swimmers and controls, 10 and 3 were atopic, respectively, and 5 and 2 were nonatopic (n.s.), respectively. Conclusions: 1) Increased bronchial responsiveness and asthma are significantly more common in elite swimmers compared with controls. 2) In this group of athletes bronchial responsiveness is not significantly associated with atopy.