Can EVH Results Predict Post-Exercise Changes in FEV1 Following Interval and Continuous Exercise?

Abstract

The eucapnic voluntary hyperpnea (EVH) challenge is used to determine the presence of exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIBC) by monitoring changes in forced expiratory volume in 1s (FEV1). However, the predictability of the post-EVH decline in FEV1 on post-exercise FEV1 remains unclear. Participants completed an EVH challenge to confirm EIBC and completed a continuous exercise (CONT; n = 21), high-intensity interval exercise (HI; n = 13), and sprint interval exercise (SPRT; n = 8) sessions on separate days. FEV1 was assessed pre- and post exercise. A 1% decline in FEV1, post EVH was associated with 0.44%, 0.85%, and 0.56% declines in FEV1 post CONT, post HI, and post SPRT, respectively. The decline in FEV1 following the EVH challenge was associated with the decline in FEV1 following all exercise conditions, with the strongest association being observed following HI. These findings may have implications for exercise prescription and asthma education for recreationally active adults with EIBC.