| Exercised
Induced Asthma- Understanding Your Participants
Individual Needs by
Nicole Palacios, BSc Exercise Science, ACE and BCRPA
certified personal trainer |
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You cannot breathe; you
are gasping for air and even though you do not have
asthma, you feel like you do. How would you feel
if you were exercising one day and this happened
to you? This is something that people with exercised
induced asthma (EIA) have to contend with every
time they |
step into the gym. People with this condition may or may
not suffer from asthma everyday, but when they exercise
they experience many of the signs and symptoms of a regular
asthma sufferer. This condition is prevalent in many of
our participants and it is important that we understand
what EIA is and some signs to look for.
What is Exercised Induced Asthma (EIA)?
· A reversible obstruction of the airway occurring
upon the commencement of vigorous exercise in people with
heightened bronchial reactivity
· According to The Canadian Lung Association, up
to 10% of normal athletes and 50% of people with hay fever
or allergic rhinitis (allergic runny nose) experience
this condition
· In the USA, 12-15% of the population are affected
by EIA; 90% of those already with asthma, 35-45% with
allergic rhinitis, and 3-10% of the general population
· Two of the main theories on why people experience
EIA are the water loss theory and the heat exchange theory.
· Water loss focuses on increased dryness in the
airway which leads to bronchoconstriction (constriction
of the airway)
· Heat exchange theory focuses on an increased
blood flow through the area around the airway (post exercise)
which again leads to a constricted airway
What are some Signs and Symptoms?
· Coughing
· Wheezing
· Dyspnea (abnormal or uncomfortable breathing)
· Chest tightness
· Lack of energy
· Frequent throat clearing
· Tiring easily
· Dizziness
· Commencement of symptoms usually occurs during
the first 6-8 minutes of exercise, but it usually peaks
at 15 minutes and can last up to 60 minutes following
exercise.
What can you do?
· Pre-screen your participants to find
out if they have EIA or asthma
· Give your participant a longer warm up
· Make sure the environment is not cold or dry
· Advise the participant to discontinue exercise
and rest. If the symptoms continue, they should use their
inhaler.
What can Your Clients Do?
Non-drug treatments:
· Avoid exercise in dry environments
· Avoid exercise in the outdoors during allergy
season (allergens in the air can cause an attack)
· Appropriate warm ups and cool downs – 15
minute warm up
· Decrease intensity
· Anaerobic exercise as opposed to aerobic.
Drug treatments:
· Beta-2 Agonists (Albuterol)
· Mast-Cell Stabilizers (Cromolyn Sodium)
· Inhaled Corticosterioids
As fitness leaders, we need to be aware of EIA and
that it may be of concern to our clients. Pre screen,
look out for obvious signs of breathing difficulties
or abnormal behaviour during exercise, and adjust your
program accordingly. With these things in mind, we should
be able to give our clients a safe and effective workout.
Sources:
Saglimbeni, Anthony J. “Exercise- Induced Asthma.”
E Medicine- Instant Access to the Minds of Medicine.
June 14th, 2004. 5 Oct. 2004 http://www.emedicine.com/sports/topic155.htm#section~introduction
Lacroix, Vincent J. “Exercise- Induced Asthma.”
The Physician and Sportsmedicine. – Vol 27 –
NO. 12 – November 1999. 18 Sep. 2004 http://www.physsportsmed.com/issues/1999/11_99/lacroix.htm
MedicineNet.Com. April 5th, 2002. 20 Oct. 2004
http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=18160
The Canadian Lung Association Website: http://www.lung.ca/asthma/exercise/eib.html
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public
Health Service, National Institute of Health, National
Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. “Practical Guide
for the Diagnosis and Management of Asthma.” NIH
Publication No. 97-4053. October, 1997: 15.
Source: The Canadian Lung Association
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Nicole Palacios, BSc Exercise Science,
is an ACE and BCRPA certified personal trainer,
BCRPA supervisor of fitness leader, and mother of
two. She enjoys helping people reach their fitness
dreams. You can reach email at: www.perfectfit.ws
Her email is:nicole@perfectfit.ws |
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