European Respiratory Society Monograph, Vol. 33. 2005
ISBN: 978-1-84984-000-2
DOI: 10.1183/1025448x.erm3305
Asthma and allergy represent increasing problems for the actively competing athlete. The prevalence of exercise-induced asthma (EIA) has increased over the last two decades, especially amongst elite endurance athletes; it has been reported that high-level endurance training in particular may increase bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) and cause inflammation in the airways. Intensive endurance training and competition, together with environmental influences, are thought to be causative factors. For winter sports, inhaled cold air represents such an environmental factor; moreover, exposure of competing swimmers to organic chlorine products released from indoor swimming pools is another example of a harsh environment. Furthermore, the increased amount of training and increased level of physical fitness and maximum oxygen uptake reached by present-day elite athletes may, in some cases, make it difficult to discriminate between limitations to maximum exercise set by normal airways and EIA. This underlines the need for developing good diagnostic criteria for EIA and BHR in relation to sports.
Introduction K-H. Carlsen, J. Cummiskey, L. Delgado, S. Del Giacco Eur Respir Mon; 2005: 33: vii–ix | |
Epidemiology of asthma, allergy and bronchial hyperresponsiveness in sports T. Haahtela, K. Larsson, S. Bonini Eur Respir Mon; 2005: 33: 1–4 | |
Epidemiology of rhinitis and conjunctivitis in athletes S. Bonini, G.W. Canonica, T. Haahtela, L. Delgado Eur Respir Mon; 2005: 33: 5–9 | |
Exercise and airway physiology: interactions with immune and allergic responses P. Palange, V. Brusasco, L. Delgado, S. Del Giacco Eur Respir Mon; 2005: 33: 10–18 | |
Bronchial hyperresponsiveness in athletes: mechanisms for development L. Bjermer, S.D. Anderson Eur Respir Mon; 2005: 33: 19–34 | |
The role of the environment and climate in relation to outdoor and indoor sports F. Drobnic, T. Haahtela Eur Respir Mon; 2005: 33: 35–47 | |
Criteria for diagnosis of asthma, EIB and AHR for athletes: lessons from the Olympic Games S.D. Anderson, V. Brusasco, T. Haahtela, T. Popov Eur Respir Mon; 2005: 33: 48–66 | |
Asthma-like conditions in athletes L. Delgado, K-H. Carlsen, K. Larsson Eur Respir Mon; 2005: 33: 67–72 | |
Anti-asthmatic drugs: treatment of athletes and exercise-induced bronchoconstriction K. Larsson, K-H. Carlsen, S. Bonini Eur Respir Mon; 2005: 33: 73–88 | |
Prevention: educational issues and recommendations for early recognition P. van Cauwenberge, P. Palange, G.W. Canonica Eur Respir Mon; 2005: 33: 89–101 | |
Evidence-based recommendations for the diagnosis of exercise-induced asthma in athletes Task Force on Recognizing and Diagnosing Exercise-Related Asthma, Respiratory and Allergic Disorders in Sports Eur Respir Mon; 2005: 33: 102–104 | |
Members of the Task Force on Recognizing and Diagnosing Exercise-Related Asthma, Respiratory and Allergic Disorders in Sports
Eur Respir Mon; 2005: 33: 105–107 | |