SPIROMETRY AND AIRWAY REACTIVITY IN ELITE TRACK AND FIELD ATHLETES

Objectives: To characterize spirometry and to document the incidence o f exercise-induced bronchospasm (EIB) during competition in elite trac k and field athletes. Design: Spirometry was performed in 120 men and 69 women athletes before competition and peak expiratory flows in 50 m en and 23 women athletes before and after competition. Setting: The 19 91 (Randalls Island, NY, U.S.A.) and the 1993 (Eugene, OR, U.S.A.) Nat ional Track and Field Championships (World Championship team-qualifyin g meet). Participants: American track and field athletes who met World Championship qualifying standards. Measurements: Spirometry (Cybermed ic, Inc., Boulder, CO, U.S.A.) and peak expiratory flows (Personal Bes t, Healthscan Products, Cedar Grove, NJ, U.S.A.)-the best of three rep roducible efforts. Results: Male sprinters had lower vital capacities than other track athletes, whereas both male and female field (throwin g) athletes had larger vital capacities than both runners and other fi eld athletes. Decreases of 10% peak expiratory flows were found in 10% of men and 26% of women track athletes within 15 min after competitio n. The incidence was higher in longer-distance events. Most participan ts did not have a history of asthma. Conclusions: A higher-than-expect ed prevalence of EIB was found in high-level track athletes. The resul ts suggest that spirometry and/or peak flows should be measured in tra ck athletes because small decreases in airflow may impair training or performance, a condition that is easily treated.