Prevalence of Exercise-Induced Bronchospasm by laboratory exercise challenge among Ragunan Sport School athletes

Abstract

Exercise-induced bronchospasm (EIB) is a common condition among adolescent athletes. There has been no study examining the prevalence of EIB among adolescent athletes in Indonesia. This study aimed to get the prevalence of EIB among Ragunan Sport School athletes by laboratory exercise challenge. Subjects performed static cycle ergometer exercise (Monark, Sweden) to reach minimal workload of 90% maximal heart rate. Force expiratory ventilation (FEV₁) was examined by spirometry (Minato AS-PAL, Japan) at minute 0, 5, 10 and 20 post exercise. The EIB was defined as a decline of FEV₁ as much as 10% or more from baseline value. Room temperature and humidity were 28°C-31°C and 74%-82% respectively. There were 168 athletes from 12 sport types who participated in this study. Among them, 23 athletes (13.7%) were EIB positive. The highest percentage of EIB was in taekwondo (54.5%). Sixteen athletes with EIB (70%) were from less asthmogenic sports. Athletes with EIB consisted of 17 (17.5%) females and 6 (8.4%) males. In conclusion, the prevalence of EIB among adolescent athletes was moderately high, and was more prevalent in female. More over, laboratory exercise challenge could elicit EIB in less asthmogenic sport. (Med J Indones 2008; 17: 33-6)

Keywords: adolescent athlete, asthmogenic sports