Published: January 16, 2025
Exercise Induced Asthma: EIA Professor Phil Ross, M.S. CPT
“Asthma: A
chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways that affects genetically
susceptible individuals in response to various environmental triggers such as
allergens, viral infection, exercise, cold, and stress.” (Bryant, 2012).
When intense exercise of 80% maximal workload or greater is introduced, along
with the additional contributing factors, the condition is referred to as
Exercise Induced Asthma or EIA. The other contributing factors are loss of
water (dehydration), increased heat or cold dry air, mucous production,
exposure to allergens, viral infections, air quality and high levels of
humidity. (Green, 2014) During the attack, the accumulation of mucus coupled
with the narrowing of the smooth muscles surrounding the airway (bronchospasm)
restrict the amount of available airflow and cause the body to work harder to
supply oxygen to the system (Powers & Howley 2015, pg. 221). The resulting
symptoms are tightened chest, wheezing, coughing and difficulty with breathing.
This can all take place within the five to eight minutes of intense exercise in
the presence of the aforementioned conditions and generally subsides 30 to 60
minutes after cessation of exercise.
I have
personally witnessed many athletes involved in EIA inspired episodes. Watching
someone lose their breath can be very stressful. It’s important to remain calm
and keep them calm as well. When it has developed into a severe condition, many
of them use an Albuterol inhaler. This reduces the inflammation in the lungs
and opens the bronchial passageways, thus enabling them to breath more freely.
There are preventive methods that may be employed, or used in conjunction as
well. Oral medications ingested daily, Leukotriene modifier; weekly allergy
shots and Anti-immunoglobulin E (IgE) therapy, may also be used. (Mayo Clinic,
2016) There are other, less severe methods such as breathing into a warm, moist
cloth may be used during and EIA episode. Being cognizant of an athlete’s or
client’s condition and the current environment would dictate lowering the
intensity of the training session that day of moving to an indoor space, if
possible, where the environment is controlled would be advisable.
There
have been instances of minimizing and/or even eliminating EIA through proper
training and breathing techniques. This takes time and diligent practice to
expand the individual’s breathing capacity and does not work for everyone.
References
Bryant, Cedric X., Ph.D., FASM and Green, Daniel J. Essentials
of Exercise Science for Fitness Professionals. (2010, 2011, 2012) American
Council on Exercise. ISBN 9781890720315.
Green , Daniel J., Project Editor. ACE,
American Council on Exercise (2014). ISBN 978-1-890720-50-6. American Council
on Exercise Personal Trainer Manual, Fifth Edition.
Powers, Scott K., and Howley, Edward T. Exercise Physiology,
Theory of Application and Performance. 9th ed.
Mayo Clinic Staff, Feb. 13, 2016 http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/asthma/in-depth/allergies-and-asthma/art-20047458