Controversies and challenges of exercise-induced bronchoconstriction and their implications for children

The association of exercise with hyperresponsiveness and bronchoconstriction of the airways has been well-recognized. Exercise may be the sole trigger or one of many triggers in patients with asthma. Although it is clear that asthma and the symptoms brought about by exercise are closely intertwined, the pathophysiology underlying this process is not well-understood. Recent studies on the epidemiology of the disease have provided insights into the processes leading to exercise-induced bronchoconstriction, with particular significance for children with asthma.