Evaluation of frequency of positive exercise-induced bronchospasm between swimmers and sedentary individuals

Laricy Martins Da Mata,Francis Lopes Pacagnelli,Flávio Danilo Mungo Pissulin,Luiz Carlos Marques Vanderlei,Marceli Rocha Leite,Regiane Coissi Sanches

doi:10.1590/1980-5918.030.002.ao08

Abstract

Abstract Introduction: Despite the prevalence of prescribed asthma, there is uncertainty about the incidence of exercise-induced bronchospasm (EIB). Objective: Compare the frequency of EIB between swimmers and sedentary individuals, and observe heart rate variability during bronchial activity. Methods: In total, 18 swimmers (group 1) and 18 sedentary individuals (group 2) were included. The participants rested for 30 minutes for evaluation of HRV. Blood pressure (PA), respiratory rate (RR), and pulse oxygen saturation (SpO2) were measured. The volunteers remained seated for the spirometry test (maneuver of forced vital capacity - FVC). This was repeated 5, 10, 15, 20, and 30 minutes after the exercise test. The statistical analysis used the Student t, Mann Whitney, and Shapiro-Wilks tests. The significance level was p <0.05. Results: The spirometry findings showed 3 sedentary individuals and 10 swimmers with obstructive ventilatory disorder (OVD). Only 2 of the sedentary and none of the swimmer group demonstrated positive bronchial provocation. A key criterion for diagnosing OVD, the relationship between forced expiratory volume in one second and FVC (FEV1/FVC), was statistically lower in the swimmer group. The measures of the root mean square of the successive differences between adjacent normal RR intervals, in a time interval (RMSSD), and the standard deviation of all normal RR intervals recorded in a time interval (SDNN) were significantly higher among the athletes. Conclusion: The bronchial provocation test identified a higher prevalence of bronchospasm among sedentary individuals. However, there was a reduction in the FEV1/FVC ratio and higher HRV in the group of swimmers.

Highlights

Despite the prevalence of prescribed asthma, there is uncertainty about the incidence of exercise-induced bronchospasm (EIB)
This study aimed to compare the frequency of exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) between swimmers and sedentary individuals, and observe heart rate variability during the course of bronchial provocation activity
The application of the EIB test demonstrated that 2 sedentary individuals presented a decrease greater than 25% in the FEF 25-75%, as well as a reduction greater than 10% in the FEV1, comparing the values measured pre exercise and 5 minutes after the test (Figure 1)

Summary

Introduction

Despite the prevalence of prescribed asthma, there is uncertainty about the incidence of exercise-induced bronchospasm (EIB). Objective: Compare the frequency of EIB between swimmers and sedentary individuals, and observe heart rate variability during bronchial activity. The volunteers remained seated for the spirometry test (maneuver of forced vital capacity - FVC). This was repeated 5, 10, 15, 20, and 30 minutes after the exercise test. Results: The spirometry findings showed 3 sedentary individuals and 10 swimmers with obstructive ventilatory disorder (OVD). The average global prevalence varies between 1% and 18%, depending on the country. It averages 11.6% among school children (six and seven years) and 9.5% from 0 to 17 years [4, 5]. There is a higher prevalence of EIB in athletes who perform activities in cold climates [6, 7], and higher intensity activities [8], such as swimmers, cyclists and distance runners

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