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Open Access 02-09-2022 | Original Article

Cold air exposure at − 15 °C induces more airway symptoms and epithelial stress during heavy exercise than rest without aggravated airway constriction

Authors: Linda M. Eklund, Åsa Sköndal, Ellen Tufvesson, Rita Sjöström, Lars Söderström, Helen G. Hanstock, Thomas Sandström, Nikolai Stenfors

Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology | Issue 12/2022

Abstract

Purpose

Exposure to cold air may harm the airways. It is unclear to what extent heavy exercise adds to the cold-induced effects on peripheral airways, airway epithelium, and systemic immunity among healthy individuals. We investigated acute effects of heavy exercise in sub-zero temperatures on the healthy airways.

Methods

Twenty-nine healthy individuals underwent whole body exposures to cold air in an environmental chamber at − 15 °C for 50 min on two occasions; a 35-min exercise protocol consisting of a 5-min warm-up followed by 2 × 15 min of running at 85% of VO₂max vs. 50 min at rest. Lung function was measured by impulse oscillometry (IOS) and spirometry before and immediately after exposures. CC16 in plasma and urine, and cytokines in plasma were measured before and 60 min after exposures. Symptoms were surveyed pre-, during and post-trials.

Results

FEV₁ decreased after rest (− 0.10 ± 0.03 L, p < 0.001) and after exercise (− 0.06 ± 0.02 L, p = 0.012), with no difference between trials. Exercise in − 15 °C induced greater increases in lung reactance (X5; p = 0.023), plasma CC16 (p < 0.001) as well as plasma IL-8 (p < 0.001), compared to rest. Exercise induced more intense symptoms from the lower airways, whereas rest gave rise to more general symptoms.

Conclusion

Heavy exercise during cold air exposure at − 15 °C induced signs of an airway constriction to a similar extent as rest in the same environment. However, biochemical signs of airway epithelial stress, cytokine responses, and symptoms from the lower airways were more pronounced after the exercise trial.

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Title: Cold air exposure at − 15 °C induces more airway symptoms and epithelial stress during heavy exercise than rest without aggravated airway constriction
Authors: Linda M. Eklund
Åsa Sköndal
Ellen Tufvesson
Rita Sjöström
Lars Söderström
Helen G. Hanstock
Thomas Sandström
Nikolai Stenfors
Publication date: 02-09-2022
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology / Issue 12/2022
Print ISSN: 1439-6319
Electronic ISSN: 1439-6327
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-022-05004-3

2024 ASCO Annual Meeting

Springer Medicine

Cold air exposure at − 15 °C induces more airway symptoms and epithelial stress during heavy exercise than rest without aggravated airway constriction

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

2024 ASCO Annual Meeting

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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