Eucapnic voluntary hyperpnoea and exercise challenge to assess exercise-induced bronchoconstriction in university athletes

Athletes have an elevated risk of exercise induced bronchoconstriction (EIB), partly attributable to repetitive breathing of dry air at high ventilation and exposure of airways to environmental agents such as pollen and cold air. Underlying mechanisms in athletic populations include evaporative water loss leading to inflammatory mediator release in the airway wall. Symptoms manifest as bronchoconstriction, coughing and mucus overproduction. An inflammatory response involving arachidonic acid metabolism has been identified as one potential mechanism of EIB disease pathogenesis.

Evidence suggests many athletes fail to acknowledge and report symptoms of EIB supporting the need for routine screening of EIB in athletes. Eucapnic voluntary hyperpnoea (EVH) challenge, endorsed by the International Olympic Committee Medical Commission (IOC-MC), is commonly used in athletic populations to identify bronchoconstriction. [Continues.]