Int J Sports Med 2005; 26(3): 233-237
DOI: 10.1055/s-2004-830546
Clinical Sciences

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Undiagnosed Exercise-Induced Bronchoconstriction in Ski-Mountaineers

F. Durand1 , P. Kippelen3 , F. Ceugniet2 , V. R. Gomez2 , P. Desnot2 , M. Poulain2 , C. Préfaut3
  • 1Laboratoire «Sport, Santé, Altitude», Département STAPS l'Ermitage, Font-Romeu, France
  • 2Clinique du Souffle «La Solane», Osséja, France
  • 3UPRES-EA 701 «Physiologie des Interactions», Service de Physiologie Clinique, Hôpital Arnaud de Villeneuve, Montpellier cedex 5, France
Further Information

Publication History

Accepted after revision: November 16, 2004

Publication Date:
02 February 2005 (online)

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.

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Ph.D. Fabienne Durand

Laboratoire Sport, Santé, Altitude, Département STAPS

L'Ermitage

66120 Font-Romeu

France

Phone: + 33468308074

Fax: + 33 4 68 30 80 76

Email: fdurand@univ-perp.fr