Sex differences in ventilation amongst athletes undergoing EVH challenge testing for exercise-induced bronchoconstriction

We aimed to report sex differences in ventilation during EVH challenge in University athletes while exploring whether they achieve inspiratory target. Seventy-seven athletes (n = 42 males, n = 35 females) performed six-minute EVH challenge involving compressed gas (5% CO2 , 21% O2 and balance N2 ) inhalation at an inspiratory target of 85% MVVindirect. Ventilation was recorded every 15 seconds during EVH challenge with pre-and post-challenge measurements of FEV1 determining outcomes. Males reached significantly higher ventilation (412.0 ± 55.0 L) compared with female athletes (292.5 ± 43.2 L), (F = 3890.0, p < 0.05), and a significant effect of time (F(23) = 3689.8, p < 0.05) as well as interaction (F = 106.3, p < 0.05) was noted. There were significant differences in cumulative ventilation attained (679.5 ± 146.6 L) during the 6-min EVH compared with inspiratory target (807.0 ± 169.6 L), amongst both sexes (t(76) = 5.0, p < 0.05) as well as EIB positive and negative groups (p < 0.05). The results support sex differences in ventilation achievement and suggest EVH inspiratory target of 85% MVVindirect is generally not reached by athletes, thereby requiring re-evaluation and further exploration of sex differences in future EVH studies.