Undiagnosed Exercise-Induced Bronchoconstriction in Ski-Mountaineers

Abstract

Because the practise conditions put the ski-mountaineering athletes potentially at risk for exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB), this study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of EIB in this population. Thirty-one highly-trained ski-mountaineers with racing experience participating in the race were evaluated. EIB was determined after a European race at high altitude and frigid conditions. Pre-race investigations included pulmonary function measurements and a questionnaire enquiring about i) training habits, ii) respiratory history during training and/or competition. Pulmonary function was also tested after the race.

None of the athletes reported a basal airway obstruction. Two groups were determined after post-race airway response: i) EIB⁺ group exhibiting a fall in FEV₁ ≥ 10 % (n = 15) and ii) EIB^- without fall in FEV₁ or fall < 10 % (n = 16). Neither training habits nor baseline lung function were associated with the post-race airway response. Six of the 31 ski-mountaineers had a previous physician-made diagnosis of asthma and/or EIB, nevertheless 23 of our athletes complained about at least one characteristic symptom of asthma during practise. Four of our 15 EIB⁺ had a previous physician-made diagnosis of asthma/EIB indicating that 73 % of EIB⁺ athletes were undiagnosed for EIB. The proportion of allergic athletes was not significantly different between EIB⁺ and EIB^-. This study showed that approximatively half of highly-trained ski-mountaineers with racing experience can develop EIB after a race and that 73 % of them are unaware of the problem.

Key words

Exercise-induced bronchoconstriction - elite athletes

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