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A 10‐year follow‐up study of pulmonary function in symptomatic elite cross‐country skiers – athletes and bronchial dysfunctions
Author(s) -
Vergès Samuel,
Flore Patrice,
Blanchi MariePhilippe Rousseau,
Wuyam Bernard
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
scandinavian journal of medicine and science in sports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.575
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1600-0838
pISSN - 0905-7188
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0838.2004.00383.x
Subject(s) - hyperventilation , medicine , athletes , vital capacity , asthma , methacholine , pulmonary function testing , physical therapy , respiratory system , bronchial hyperreactivity , cardiology , respiratory disease , lung function , lung , diffusing capacity
A high prevalence of asthma‐like symptoms and abnormal bronchial reactivity to various stimuli has been reported among endurance athletes. This report presents the cases of three cross‐country skiers who have shown a progressive development of airway obstruction during their sport careers. The observed decline in FEV 1 , FEV 1 /FVC and/or FVC (FEV, forced expiratory volume; FVC, forced expiratory vital capacity) was greater than expected from longitudinal regression equations describing the ageing effect on pulmonary function. The three subjects encountered abnormal respiratory discomfort during their sport activity which was not systematically associated with abnormal bronchial reactivity (either to methacholine or exercise hyperventilation). At the end of the follow‐up periods (9–12 years), all three skiers presented objective signs of airflow limitations during intense exercise. This report suggests that repeated chronic hyperventilation of cold dry air in cross‐country skiers for several years can induce permanent bronchial disorders which may include remodeling processes and induce ventilatory limitations during intense exercise.