By Michael F. Busk, M.D., M.P.H.

Exercise-Induced Asthma (EIA) affects many athletes. Quite often, both elite and recreational athletes do not recognize the symptoms of EIA. A coach may attribute negative changes in an athlete‘s performance to either improper training, or to a minor cold. Training regimens are often modified to compensate for these changes; however, they do not lead to improved athletic performance. In these cases, diagnosis and treatment can help the athlete attain his or her highest performance level. The following summarizes EIA:

Exercise-Induced Asthma (EIA) Symptoms:

• Wheezing
• Shortness of breath
• Chest tightness
• Typically starts after 5 to 10 minutes of strenuous exercise

Triggers:

• Strenuous exercise
• Cold, dry air
• Viral infections, pollens, animal dander, air pollution, molds and dust

Diagnosis:

• Symptoms consistent with EIA
• Physician-supervised tests:
• Pulmonary function testing before and after a strenuous exercise session in the individual‘s routine environment
• Pulmonary function testing before and after exercise on a treadmill or bicycle in a controlled laboratory setting
• Eucapnic voluntary hyperventilation
• Methacholine challenge (a chemical that induces asthma only in asthmatics, not normal individuals)

Treatment:

• Medications using a metered-dose inhaler of a beta-agonist or cromolyn
• Individualized training techniques monitored by an exercise specialist

If you feel that you have symptoms related to EIA, consult your doctor or a lung specialist. In addition, an exercise specialist can help you develop a training regimen that can decrease the symptoms of exercise-induced asthma.

Simple tips such as increasing the humidity in the air that you breathe, perhaps by exercising indoors, or by breathing through a mask or scarf in the winter, can easily prevent EIA. An exercise specialist and the physician can also develop individualized training techniques to reduce and prevent the symptoms of EIA.

The National Institute for Fitness and Sport has a special exercise program for those who suffer from asthma. This program is called R.E.A.C.H. (Respiratory Efficiency and Cardiac Health) and is monitored by an exercise specialist. For more information on this program, call 317.274.3432.

Dr. Michael Busk is an Assistant Professor of Medicine at the Indiana University School of Medicine in the Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Occupational Medicine. He is the Catherine and Lowe Berger and Pauline L. Ford Investigator in Pulmonary Medicine. He also serves as the Medical and Research Director for the National Institute for Fitness and Sport.