From the Guidelines
Cross-country skiing is most likely to precipitate bronchospasm in a patient with exercise-induced asthma. This is due to the extreme cold and dry air that cross-country skiers are exposed to, which can increase the prevalence of exercise-induced bronchospasm (EIB) to 30% to 50% 1. The cold and dry air can trigger bronchospasm in susceptible individuals, making it a high-risk sport for patients with exercise-induced asthma. Other high-risk sports include winter sports like ice hockey and endurance sports such as long-distance running, but cross-country skiing has been shown to have a particularly high prevalence of EIB 1.
Some key points to consider:
- The prevalence of EIB can vary depending on factors such as environmental conditions, type of testing, and demographics 1
- Certain populations, such as skaters and cross-country skiers, have a higher than expected prevalence of EIB due to unique circumstances such as high emission pollution from ice-cleaning equipment and cold dry air 1
- Patients with exercise-induced asthma should use a short-acting beta-agonist like albuterol (2 puffs) 15-30 minutes before exercise for prevention, and consider adding a daily inhaled corticosteroid or leukotriene modifier for better control 1
- It is essential to anticipate and diagnose EIB in patients with asthma, and to develop a treatment plan that allows patients to participate in their chosen activities without experiencing asthma symptoms 1
From the Research
Sports and Exercise-Induced Bronchospasm
The sports most likely to precipitate bronchospasm in a patient with exercise-induced asthma include:
- Cold-weather sports
- Indoor sports
Specific Sports
Some specific sports that may precipitate bronchospasm include:
- Nordic skiing (also known as cross-country skiing) 2
- Ice-skating
- Swimming
Comparison of Sports
Among the options provided (cross-country skiing, gymnastics, marathon running, platform diving, rowing), cross-country skiing is the most likely to precipitate bronchospasm in a patient with exercise-induced asthma due to its classification as a cold-weather sport 2.
Key Factors
Key factors that contribute to the likelihood of bronchospasm include: