The effect of a competitive season and environmental factors on pulmonary function and aerobic power in varsity hockey players

Abstract

This study examined the effect of a competitive season and environmental factors on pulmonary function and aerobic power in varsity hockey players. Fourteen male subjects completed testing before and after a 7-month varsity hockey season within ice arena conditions. All subjects completed an aerobic power [Formula: see text]O2 max test on a cycle ergometer. Pulmonary function tests were performed at rest and 1, 10, 15, and 25 min after the [Formula: see text]O2 max test. The arena environment was monitored during testing and throughout the season for temperature, relative humidity, gaseous chemicals, moulds, and fungi. There was no change in [Formula: see text]O2 max during the season. The percent change in forced expiratory flow in 1 s (FEV1) post-exercise compared to resting FEV1 and forced vital capacity (FVC) after the [Formula: see text]O2 max test were significantly lower after the season. The arena temperature and relative humidity ranged between 13 and 16 °C and between 30% and 45% over the course of the season. Sulfur dioxide (0.7-4.5 ppm) was found in the arena and no airborne moulds unique to the dressing room environment were found to exceed Health Canada's guideline of 50 CFU/m3 for indoor air quality. It was concluded that some hockey players experience limitations to pulmonary function over the course of a competitive season. Key words: exercise-induced bronchospasm, exercise-induced hypoxaemia, air quality, mould, asthma.