Exercise induced asthma in waterepolo elite players

Many highly trained athletes experience exercise-induced bronchospasm (EIB): studies describing EIB in water sports players, who may be at increased risk of EIB due to water temperatures are scarce. We studied professionally waterepolo elite players (n=100) for EIB by spirometry at immediately before a simulated long program and at 0 to 1,5,10, and 15 min postexercise. Postexercise spirometry revealed the presence of EIB (a decrease from baseline in FEV1 of at least 10%) in 43 players, while the remainder (n=81, control group) remained relatively stable. Pre-exercise FEV1, FVC, and FEV1/FVC ratio were not different between groups. The EIB group had significantly lower FEV1 vs baseline at each measurement following exercise: baseline, 3.08±0.13; 0 to 1 min postexercise, 2.81 ±0.13 (p<0.05); 5 min postexercise, 2.77±0.14 (p<0.05); 10 min postexercise, 2.78±0.13 (p<0.05); 15 min postexercise, 2.78±0.13 (p<0.05). The EIB group also had lower FVC: baseline, 3.48±0.16; 0to 1 min postexercise, 3.16±0.15 (p<0.05); 5 min postexercise, 3.19±0.15 (p<0.05); 10 min postexercise, 3.27±0.16 (p<0.05); 15 min postexercise, 3.26±0.16 (p<0.05). Control subjects, however, experienced no decline in these variables. In conclusion, the incidence of EIB in waterepolo elite players measured during this investigation (33 of 100=33%) is greater than that of the population at large and other highly trained athletes, signifying that screening for EIB and therapeutic follow-up are reasonable considerations for participants in this sport.