Exercise Induced Bronchoconstriction and Field Tests

Asthma and exercise induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) represent an important challenge for the athlete, and correct diagnosis is important as it affects health as well as performance with strict regulations concerning asthma medication. The primary objective of this study on elite athletes with symptoms of EIB, is to assess if EIB can be determined equally by repeated standardized and unstandardized field ECT using AsthmaTuner, and eucapnic voluntary hypernoea (EVH). Methods: The study has an open design including elite athletes with symptoms of EIB. They will be equipped with an AsthmaTuner to perform 3-5 repeated exercise tests with AsthmaTuner in their natural training and competing environment, followed by an EVH test within four weeks after the first visit. Olympiatoppen is a national clinic in Oslo, Norway, providing health care and screening of elite athletes. At least 60 elite athletes aged 16 to 50 years with a history of EIB symptoms within the last 8 weeks will be invited to participate. The eucapnic voluntarily hyperventilation (EVH) test and two standardized field exercise test will be performed according to guidelines. In addition, the participants will be encouraged to perform unstandardized lung function tests in relation to perceived respiratory symptoms during exercise.