Impact of detecting and treating exercise-induced bronchoconstriction in elite footballers

Our aim was to evaluate the prevalence of exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) in elite football players and assess subsequent impact of therapy on airway health and exercise performance. 97 male professional football players completed an airway health assessment with a eucapnic voluntary hyperpnoea (EVH) challenge to diagnose EIB. Players demonstrating a positive result (EVH(+)) were prescribed inhaler therapy depending on severity, including inhaled corticosteroids and inhaled short-acting β(2)-agonists, and underwent repeat assessment after 9 weeks of treatment. Eight players (EVH(+) n=3, EVH(−) n=5) completed a peak oxygen uptake (V′(O(2)peak)) test at initial and follow-up assessment. Out of the 97 players, 27 (28%) demonstrated a positive EVH result. Of these, 10 had no prior history (37%) of EIB or asthma. EVH outcome was not predictable by respiratory symptoms. Seven (24%) of the 27 EVH(+) players attended follow-up and demonstrated improved post-challenge spirometry (forced expiratory volume in 1 s pre-test −22.9±15.4%, post-test −9.0±1.6%; p=0.018). At follow-up V′(O(2)peak) improved by 3.4±2.9 mL·kg(−1)·min(−1) in EVH(+) players compared to 0.1±2.3 mL·kg(−1)·min(−1) in EVH(−) players. Magnitude of inference analysis indicated treatment was possibly beneficial (74%) for exercise capacity. Elite football players have a high EIB prevalence. Treatment with inhaler therapy reduces EIB severity.