Role of Airway Hyperresponsiveness on Performance in Elite Swimmers.
- Registration Number
- NCT00876135
- Lead Sponsor
- Laval University
- Brief Summary
The prevalence of airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) is very high in elite swimmers, reaching 80% in certain studies. Repeated Chlorine-derivatives exposure may be a major causative factor for its development. Asthma diagnosis is generally made on the basis of clinical characteristics. The demonstration of a variable bronchial obstruction through positive expiratory flow reversibility to a bronchodilator, spontaneous variations of airway obstruction or a positive provocation test (methacholine, eucapnic voluntary hyperpnoea...) is necessary to avoid false diagnosis. Currently asthma treatment in swimmers is the same as in the general population. A short-acting bronchodilator is often prescribed to avoid occasional symptoms, combined with an inhaled corticosteroid or an antagonist of Leukotriene if asthma symptoms are persistent. Previous studies have shown a reduced efficiency for asthma medication in elite athletes compared with non-athletes. The specific response to different medications remains to be studied in athletes. The effects of a short-acting bronchodilator in swimmers with AHR, especially when asymptomatic, on pulmonary function and performance have not yet been studied. Moreover, the significance of a positive bronchial provocation test remains to be studied in asymptomatic swimmers with AHR.
- Detailed Description
Our hypothesis is that swimmers with a positive bronchial provocation challenge have not necessarily an exercise-induced bronchoconstriction during swimming and the use of a bronchodilator will be unnecessary. Chlorine-derivatives exposure may be responsible for a weakness of the epithelium layer but warm and humid atmosphere of the swimming-pools may be protective for the development of a bronchoconstriction. Thus we also hypothesis that during a field test outside the swimming pool, swimmers will develop an exercise-induced asthma, and will need to take a bronchodilator in prevention.
Recruitment & Eligibility
- Status
- COMPLETED
- Sex
- All
- Target Recruitment
- 57
- Swimmer (at least 10h/week) aged from at least 14 years.
- Smoker, obese or other disease which may interfere with the study. Some parts of the study may exclude swimmers taking inhaled corticosteroids.
Study & Design
- Study Type
- INTERVENTIONAL
- Study Design
- SINGLE_GROUP
- Arm && Interventions
Group Intervention Description Inhaled Bronchodilator Ventolin -
- Primary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Bronchodilator versus placebo effects on performance march to may 2009/ 8 visits
- Secondary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Measurement of oxidative stress april to June 2009/ 3 visits
Trial Locations
- Locations (1)
Institut Universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de Québec
🇨🇦Québec, Quebec, Canada