Abstract
This paper aims to identify factors that may account for the high values and varied prevalence of exercise-induced bronchospasm (EIB), which occur in the population of athletes. Journal articles, indexed and peer reviewed, published in the MEDLINE and SPORTDiscus database were screened using a computer search. Keywords as “prevalence,” “exercise,” “bronchospasm,” and “athletes” were crossed. The diagnosis of EIB based on the questionnaire or maximal decrease of ventilatory parameters was considered as inclusion criteria and selection of articles. Analysis of selected articles reveals higher values and varied prevalence of EIB (11–55%) compared to those in the general population (4–20%). Evaluation criteria of EIB are those based on the characteristics of sedentary subjects. Criteria sometimes do not seem adapted to specific sports. This paper suggests a differential diagnostic approach which takes account of both the EIB characteristics of sedentary and those of sportsmen.
Highlights
Asthma and exercise-induced bronchospasm (EIB) are terms used to describe the same phenomenon depending on the path of physiological nature of the subjects and the circumstances highlighted
Whereas the objective of this paper issue was to provide a general picture of the state of knowledge on the evaluation of exercise-induced bronchospasm (EIB) in sportsmen, articles were selected as they allowed adding elements essential to understanding the diagnosis of EIB
The section of factors associated with differences in prevalence between sportsmen and sedentary items was retained if the relationship between air pollution, climatic conditions and the EIB is highlighted
Summary
Asthma and exercise-induced bronchospasm (EIB) are terms used to describe the same phenomenon depending on the path of physiological nature of the subjects and the circumstances highlighted. Asthma is a multifactorial disease resulting from the combination of factors predisposing congenital (hereditary factors) and environmental factors favoring (allergens, pollen, home and industrial dusts, and air pollution inhalation, etc.). It is defined as a disorder characterized by attacks of breathlessness or chest tightness paroxysmal wheezing, usually exhalation, indicating a sharp decrease of the caliber of the bronchi which combine progressive edema and hypersecretion of mucous tract air breathing (nasal cavity, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi) can lead to inflammation. The diagnosis of asthma is based on the examination, respiratory symptoms, family history, and pulmonary function at rest, during exercise and pharmacodynamic tests. According to the recommendations [2, 3], a stress test is considered positive when there is a fall in FEV from 10% to 15% from baseline after exercise performed at a level corresponding to the ventilatory at least 20 times the FEV
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