Self‐reported obstructive airway symptoms are common in young cross‐country skiers

The reported high use of anti‐asthmatic drugs in cross‐country skiers prompted a study to assess the prevalence of self‐reported asthma, asthma‐associated symptoms and the use of anti‐asthmatic medication among cross‐country skiers. A self‐administered questionnaire based on the Medical Research Council questionnaire was answered by cross‐country skiers in the Swedish national ski team, in upper secondary school ski‐classes and in the Swedish army (n=305). Controls (n=141) were pupils from regular classes in the same upper secondary schools. Skiers more often gave posi‐ tive answers to all questions on asthma and asthma‐associated symptoms. The cumulative prevalence of asthma was 15% in skiers and 6% in controls. We conclude that the common use of anti‐asthmatic drugs among cross‐country skiers reflects a high prevalence of self‐reported asthma and asthma‐associated symptoms. The causes of these differences are un‐known.