Asthma is the most common chronic medical condition in elite athletes, with a prevalence of 8% (Fitch, 2012). Exercise is a potent trigger of asthma attacks, and the transient airway narrowing brought about by (strenuous) exercise is commonly referred to as exerciseinduced bronchoconstriction (EIB). The aim of this presentation is to discuss the various mechanisms potentially implicated in the shortand long-term development of asthma / EIB in elite athletes. While local, airway osmotic and thermal stress associated with exercisehyperpnoea are key determinants to EIB (Anderson & Daviskas, 2000), the role of whole-body dehydration in precipitating airway narrowing post-exercise is unknown. Novel data suggest a detrimental effect of mild-to-moderate exercise-induced dehydration on resting lung function (with possible gas trapping and small airway collapse) in athletes, but no significant effect of mild fluid losses (~2% of body weight) on bronchial responsiveness. Further, while repeated-injury repair of the airway epithelium induced by acute osmotic and / or mechanical stress during exercise-hyperpnoea is thought to contribute to the pathogenesis of asthma / EIB in elite athletes (Anderson & Kippelen, 2005), our understanding of the role of other contributing factors - such as (over-)use of nutritional supplements - is limited. Our preliminary data highlight the potential for the widely used ergogenic supplement, creatine monohydrate, to increase lung inflammation and airway responsiveness in youth, elite, football players (particularly, in those with atopy). Further work is now warranted to confirm these preliminary findings and to explore the mechanisms through which creatine, when associated with intensive physical training, might up-regulate airway inflammation in the human lung. In summary, it is important to recognise that asthma / EIB is a widespread, serious, but manageable condition in elite athletes. Based on our current understanding of the pathophysiology of asthma / EIB in athletes, appropriate pharmacological and non-pharmacological prevention strategies should routinely be implemented to minimise the impact of these respiratory disorders on athletes` health and performance.
© Copyright 2016 21st Annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science (ECSS), Vienna, 6. -9. July 2016. Published by University of Vienna. All rights reserved.