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REDUCED PEAK FLOW AND VO2 MAX IN INDIVIDUALS WITH EXERCISE INDUCED ASTHMA

Abstract

C. Grimm, K. Kammerzell, D. Kang

George Fox University, Newberg, OR

Exercise Induced Asthma (EIA) is the narrowing of the airways due to smooth muscle contractions and mucus build-up initiated by inflammatory mediators during exercise. PURPOSE: To examine the peak flow and maximum amount of oxygen uptake (VO2max) in individuals with EIA compared to healthy individuals. METHODS: Participants with EIA (n=3) and healthy controls (n=3) participated in a 1.5 Mile Cooper Run Test. All tested individuals were female, college students (18-22 years old), who are currently or had previously participated in collegiate athletics. Participants’ peak flow and heart rate (HR) were measured pre-run and post-run. Data was collected from a questionnaire which included age, sex, height, weight, EIA diagnosis, and the last time their inhaler had been taken. VO2data was collected using an equation that accounted for sex, weight (kg), and run time (mins). RESULTS: Individuals with EIA on average had a decrease in peak flow from pre-run (360.3 l/min) to post-run (348.7 l/min) compared to healthy individuals with an average increase in peak flow pre-run (489.3 l/min) and post-run (526.7 l/min). The EIA individuals had a averaged decreased in VO2max (43.17 mlO2/kg*min) compared to healthy individuals (47.36 mlO2/kg*min). CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that individuals with EIA have a decrease in peak flow during vigorous exercise and a lower VO2max compared to healthy individuals. EIA participants had a lower peak flow than the normative value for their age, sex, and height due to the narrowing of airways while healthy individuals fell within or above normative values. VO2max was lower in EIA participants due to a variety of reasons caused by a decrease of oxygen uptake in the body. Further research should aim to evaluate the use of β-agonistsanti-inflammatory mediators (rescue inhalers) or other medications and their effect on peak flow prior to and after vigorous exercise.

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