The Effect of Physical Exercise in a Cold Air Environment on Normal Volunteers and Asthmatic Patients

The purpose of the study is to compare airway physiologic reactions to physical exercise in a cold air environment (-5°C, 60% relative humidity) between normal volunteers and subjects with mild/moderate asthma. For this purpose, the investigators intend to evaluate the effect of a cold air exercise test on the Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second (FEV1), respiratory symptoms, functional airway integrity, local and systemic inflammation and on the airway microbiome. This study also features as an exploratory study for a subsequent interventional study in order to establish the feasibility of the cold air exercise protocol and to determine the extent of the effects in subjects with mild/moderate asthma.