Exercise-Induced Bronchospasm

CONTEXT: Exercise-induced bronchospasm (EIB) is a phenomenon of airway narrowing that occurs during or after exercise or physical exertion. This condition has been reported in a range of sporting activities but is most common in participants of cold-weather sports (eg, Nordic skiing) and indoor sports (eg, ice-skating and swimming). Traditionally, the terms exercise induced-asthma (EIA) and EIB have been used interchangeably; however, more recent evidence suggests that these entities are separate and should be described as such, given that their treatments differ. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: Literature from 2000 to 2010 was obtained through searches of PubMed, Medline, and Google, with the keywords exercise-induced asthma, exercise-induced bronchospasm, asthma and athlete, and asthma and sport and with an emphasis on the current literature (last 3 to 4 years). RESULTS: Although the current literature suggests a differentiation between EIA and EIB, this differentiation is not always clear, and the terms are still often used interchangeably. This lack of distinction makes it difficult to draw conclusions on optimal diagnosis and treatment of EIB. CONCLUSION: EIB is prevalent in elite-level athletes, with certain groups being at increased risk. Diagnostic testing should be used when possible, given that recent studies suggest poor correlation between symptoms and testing. The mainstay of treatment remains the use of short-acting β-adrenergic agonists.