Prevalence of Asthma and High Performance Sports - Examination of the Swiss National Triathlon Squad

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It is well known that compared to the normal population there is a higher risk for exercise induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) in elite athletes. The aim of this study was to analyze the prevalence of a clinical asthma in high performance triathletes. Methods: 36 athletes of the Swiss national triathlon squad were examined (63% of all squad members; 10 f; 26 m; 25 ± 5y) on January 5th and 6th 2001. EIB tests were conducted (4.3 ± 2.5°C, 51.7 ± 14.6% humidity) as field trials. The athelets had to run a distance of 1.72 km with ascending slope under rules of competition but without a warming up. The test took 7–10 min, dependent on the individual performance capacity. FEV1, PEF, MEF50, MEF25, VC were measured at rest, during recovery (at min 2, 5, 10 and 15 resp.) and 5 min after a subsequent inhalation of a β2-mimeticum as a therapeutically checking. The diagnosis of asthma was made related to clinical symptoms and criteria of lung function parameters before and after the EIB test. Results: 18 of the 36 athletes had a clinical asthma (50%), 9 athletes had already been diagnosed with asthma prior to our test and were already under treatment. In addition, 9 athletes were diagnosed with asthma based on our examination. The curves of FEV1 interacted significantly with groups (asthma vs. non-asthma p < 0.05). The decrease of FEV1 was significantly lower in the asthma group compared to the non-asthma group (P < 0.05). Differences between the two groups in the Tiffeneau quotient at rest and after inhalation were statistically significant. (P < 0.05). Conclusions: The prevalence of a clinical asthma in the here tested Swiss triathletes was about 5 times higher compared to the Swiss normal population. Our study underlines a higher prevalence of asthma in elite endurance athletes. Supported by Labhardt AG Switzerland.