ASTHMA AND EXERCISE

Abstract

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways. There are two terms about asthma in athletes, often used interchangeably: exercise-induced asthma (EIA) and exercise-induce bronchoconstriction (EIB). An increasing prevalence of EIA or EIB in athletes and particularly in elite endurance athletes is widely recorded. If adequately managed, EBA/EBB, do not negatively affect elite athletic performance and success. Pathologic mechanisms of EIA/EIB classically involve both osmolar and vascular changes in the airways, in addition to parasympathetic stimulation by cooling of the airways. Airway inflammation plays a fundamental role in EIA/EIB. Most patients with asthma, with the exception of athletes tend to avoid physical activity due to EBA/EBB. However, exercise has beneficial effects on airways in asthmatic patients. In fact, preliminary data of recent studies reveal that intermediate-level exercise would be one of the treatment options for asthmatic patients. Etiologic, diagnostic and treatment aspects of the pathology are reviewed with special emphasis on exercise.