Author:
Päivinen Marja,Keskinen Kari,Putus Tuula,Kujala Urho M.,Kalliokoski Pentti,Tikkanen Heikki O.
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Respiratory symptoms are common in competitive swimmers. However, among these and in swimmers at other activity levels the swimming distance, the total spent time in swimming halls and their medical background varies. Our objectives were, first, to assess their medical histories and the associations with respiratory symptoms among swimmers in different activity groups and then second, to study the pulmonary function findings and related medications in competitive swimmers who exercise in swimming hall environments the most.
Methods
First, 1118 participants consisting of 133 competitive-, 734 fitness- and 251 occasional swimmers answered questionnaires concerning their medical background, their respiratory symptoms in connection to swimming distance and their amount of time spent in swimming halls. Secondly, in 130 competitive swimmers, pulmonary function was tested by spirometry and a specific questionnaire was used to assess respiratory symptoms, medical histories and prescribed medication.
Results
Respiratory symptoms were reported by 18% of the studied swimmers. Competitive swimmers had significantly more symptoms than fitness- and occasional swimmers. Naturally competitive swimmers swum more than 2000 m and stayed by the pool more than 90 min, longer than the other activity groups of swimmers. Spirometry testing showed airway obstruction in 15 swimmers, which was 12% of the 130 competitive swimmers. 21 of them, had physician-diagnosed asthma and 16 of these individuals had prescribed medication for it.
Conclusions
Competitive swimmers had the highest swimming hall exposure and reported significantly more respiratory symptoms. A high prevalence of airway obstruction findings in competitive swimmers with asthma and allergies suggests a need for future recommendations for regular testing and special medical care for competitive swimmers.
Funder
Finnish Respiratory Disease Research Foundation
Finnish Allergy Research Foundation
Finnish Athletics Research Foundation
Ida Montin Foundation
Ministry of Health and Social Affairs of Finland
Ministry of Education and Culture
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Subject
Rehabilitation,Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation,Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
Reference38 articles.
1. Potts JE. Adverse respiratory health effects of competitive swimmers: the prevalence of symptoms, illnesses, and bronchial responsiveness to methacholine and exercise. Vancouver: University of British Columbia; 1994.
2. Potts J. Factors associated with respiratory problems in swimmers. Sports Med. 1996;21:256–61.
3. Helenius IJ, Rytilä P, Metso T, Haahtela T, Venge P, Tikkanen HO. Respiratory symptoms, bronchial responsiveness, and cellular characteristics of induced sputum in elite swimmers. Allergy. 1998;53:346–52.
4. Helenius I, Haahtela T. Allergy and asthma in elite summer sport athletes. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2000;106:444–52.
5. Helenius I, Rytilä P, Sarna S, Lumme A, Helenius M, Haahtela RV, T, . Effect of continuing or finishing high-level sports on airway inflammation, bronchial hyperresponsiveness, and asthma: a 5-year prospective follow-up study of 42 highly trained swimmers. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2002;109:962–8.
Cited by
3 articles.
订阅此论文施引文献
订阅此论文施引文献,注册后可以免费订阅5篇论文的施引文献,订阅后可以查看论文全部施引文献