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Sports Medicine
Published in: Sports Medicine 12/2014

01-12-2014 | Systematic Review

The Impact of Exercise-Induced Bronchoconstriction on Athletic Performance: A Systematic Review

Authors: Oliver J. Price, James H. Hull, Vibeke Backer, Morten Hostrup, Les Ansley

Published in: Sports Medicine | Issue 12/2014

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Abstract

Background

Exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) describes the phenomenon of transient airway narrowing in association with physical activity. Although it may seem likely that EIB would have a detrimental impact on athletic performance, this has yet to be established.

Objectives

The aim of this review is to provide a systematic appraisal of the current status of knowledge regarding EIB and exercise performance and to highlight potential mechanisms by which performance may be compromised by EIB.

Data Sources and Study Selection

PubMed/Medline and EBSCO databases were searched up to May 2014 using the search parameter: [(‘exercise’ OR ‘athlete’) AND (‘asthma’ OR ‘bronchoconstriction’ OR ‘hypersensitivity’) AND ‘performance’]. This search string returned 243 citations. After systematically reviewing all of the abstracts, 101 duplicate papers were removed, with 132 papers excluded for not including an exercise performance outcome measure.

Results

The remaining ten studies that met the initial criteria were included in this review; six evaluated the performance of physically active individuals with asthma and/or EIB while four assessed the effects of medication on performance in a comparable population.

Conclusion

The evidence concludes that whilst it is reasonable to suspect that EIB does impact athletic performance, there is currently insufficient evidence to provide a definitive answer.
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Metadata
Title
The Impact of Exercise-Induced Bronchoconstriction on Athletic Performance: A Systematic Review
Authors
Oliver J. Price
James H. Hull
Vibeke Backer
Morten Hostrup
Les Ansley
Publication date
01-12-2014
Publisher
Springer International Publishing
Published in
Sports Medicine / Issue 12/2014
Print ISSN: 0112-1642
Electronic ISSN: 1179-2035
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-014-0238-y

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