Abstract
Respiratory tract illness is a leading cause of training and in-competition time loss in elite athletes. Asthma is known to be prevalent in athletes, but the coexistence of other respiratory problems in those deemed to be susceptible to respiratory tract illness is unknown. The aim of this study was to apply a comprehensive prospective approach to identify respiratory problems and explore relationships in athletes with heightened respiratory illness susceptibility.
UK World Class Performance Programme athletes prospectively completed a systematic review of respiratory health with validated questionnaires and respiratory-focused investigations, including studies of nasal flow, exhaled nitric oxide, spirometry, bronchoprovocation testing and allergy testing.
Systematic respiratory health assessment was completed by 122 athletes (55 females, mean±sd age 24±4 years). At least one respiratory health issue, requiring intervention, was identified in 97 (80%) athletes and at least two abnormalities were found in 73 (60%). Sinonasal problems were the most commonly identified problem (49%) and 22% of athletes had a positive indirect bronchoprovocation test. Analysis revealed two respiratory health clusters: 1) asthma, sinus problems and allergy; and 2) laryngeal and breathing pattern dysfunction. Respiratory illness susceptible athletes had 3.6±2.5 episodes in the year prior to assessment and were more likely to have allergy (OR 2.6, 95% CI 1.0–6.5), sinonasal problems (2.6, 1.1–6.0) and symptoms of laryngeal (5.4, 1.8–16.8) and breathing pattern dysfunction (3.9, 1.1–14.0) than nonsusceptible athletes (all p<0.05).
A systematic approach to respiratory assessment identifies a high prevalence and coexistence of multiple respiratory problems in illness-susceptible athletes.
Abstract
A systematic approach to the identification of respiratory problems is deliverable within a world-class sport performance programme and identifies previously unrecognised and potentially modifiable factors in illness-susceptible athletes https://bit.ly/37lM4ck
Footnotes
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Author contributions: J.H. Hull and M. Loosemore conceived the study idea. A.R. Jackson led physiological testing, and F. Brown and M. Wootten performed study analysis. J.H. Hull, A.R. Jackson, C. Ranson and M. Loosemore contributed to the collection and analysis of data, and preparation of the final manuscript. J.H. Hull, C. Ranson and M. Loosemore act as guarantors of the paper, taking responsibility for the integrity of the work, from inception to published article.
Conflict of interest: J.H. Hull has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: A.R. Jackson has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: C. Ranson has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: F. Brown has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: M. Wootten has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: M. Loosemore has nothing to disclose.
Support statement: Funding for the project was provided by the English Institute of Sport.
- Received October 5, 2020.
- Accepted November 26, 2020.
- Copyright ©ERS 2021