High Prevalance of Asthma in Cc Skiers

High prevalence of asthma in cross country skiers

Many of today’s current athletes suffer from asthma including cross country skiers. This study was taken place in Sweden comparing cross country skiers with non cross country skiers during both winter and summer months. A total of 42 athletes were used with no previous health concerns. By monitoring during both of these seasons would show symptoms in bronchial hyper-responsiveness, asthma and lung function during the year.

Forced expiratory volume/sec and vital capacity was measured utilizing a low resistance rolling seal spirometer. The highest readings that were achieved were the ones that were plotted for the study. Residual volume was also documented at a respiratory rate at 25/min. Metacholine challenge tests were performed in Stockholm using a nebulizer. Results showed that vital capacity, total lung capacity and forced expiratory volume in one second were greater in the cross country skiers comparatively to the non-cross country skiers. According to the study there was no difference in bronchial responsiveness between the summer and winter months. The article explained that the cold air could possibly be the most important factor of the study especially during high strenuous activities. The cold air would cause bronchoconstriction and exacerbate those that had asthma.

Upon completion of the study the results showed that cross country skiers were more susceptible to developing asthma and/or asthma like

symptoms. Cross country skiers were significantly affected compared to the non-cross country skiers. The conclusion for why this occurs was that an increase in intensity during exercise at lower temperatures while breathing excessive volumes of air was most likely the reason for the asthma like symptoms. Overall training at low temperature while performing a strenuous activity would be pathogenetic for asthma, possibly from repeated breathing of large amounts of cold air.