High-level endurance training contributes to the development of asthma and exercise-induced
bronchoconstriction but the effect of moderate endurance training on airway function
remains to be determined. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence
of physician-diagnosed asthma and/or exercise-induced bronchoconstriction in moderately
endurance-trained athletes. Ninety-five Mediterranean amateur endurance-trained
athletes filled out a questionnaire about respiratory disorders and underwent
a resting spirometry. Mean training volume was 10 h per week. The prevalence of
asthma was found to be 4.2 %. All the athletes with asthma plus another one
(5.3 %) reported having exercise-induced bronchoconstriction. These percentages
are in the same range as those from the general population and much lower than
those observed in elite endurance athletes. In contrast to elite athletes, our
amateur endurance-trained athletes seem not exposed to a higher risk of asthma
or exercise-induced bronchoconstriction than the general population. We suggest
that 10 h per week of moderate endurance training in a temperate climate area
does not lead to respiratory disease.
Exercise-induced bronchospasm - endurance training
