Hypoxic Environment on EIB and Performance in Race Walkers

Title: Diagnosis and Impact of Exercise-Induced Bronchoconstriction (EIB) in Athletes During Altitude Training Study Description: We invite you to participate in a research study examining Exercise-Induced Bronchoconstriction (EIB) in athletes. Your participation is entirely voluntary, and you may withdraw at any time without penalty. This study will take place over 2 to 4 months and includes both plains training and altitude training phases. Why is this study being done? The purpose of this study is threefold: To diagnose whether you have EIB (a condition that causes narrowing of the airways during or after exercise). To determine if altitude training induces or worsens EIB. To understand how having (or not having) EIB affects your athletic performance during altitude training. What will you be asked to do? You will be asked to complete the following procedures four times each (with about 2 weeks between each session): Blood Draws: Early morning fasting blood samples (approx. 4 ml from your arm). These are routine tests for the sports team. Exercise Challenge Tests: You will run on a treadmill while wearing a heart rate monitor. This test follows standard safety guidelines (ATS). Your breathing will be tested before exercise and several times after. These are routine tests for the sports team. VO2max Tests: You will run on a treadmill with a breathing mask to measure your maximum oxygen uptake. You will run until exhaustion, following a standardized protocol. Questionnaires: You will wear a heart rate monitor during training and complete short questionnaires about your breathing and how hard you feel you are exercising. How long will participation last? The total study duration is 2-4 months. Individual tasks take between 3 minutes (blood draw) and 50 minutes (exercise challenge). What are the risks? Blood Draw: Possible dizziness, bruising, or discomfort at the needle site. Breathing Tests: You may feel briefly dizzy or tired from blowing hard; th