Asthma, allergies and respiratory symptoms in different activity groups of swimmers exercising in swimming halls
Abstract Background Respiratory symptoms are common in competitive swimmers. However, among these and in swimmers at other activity levels the swimming distance, the total spent time in swimming halls and their medical background varies. Our objectives were, first, to assess their medical histories...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2021-10-01
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| Series: | BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13102-021-00349-2 |
| _version_ | 1818442512216358912 |
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| author | Marja Päivinen Kari Keskinen Tuula Putus Urho M. Kujala Pentti Kalliokoski Heikki O. Tikkanen |
| author_facet | Marja Päivinen Kari Keskinen Tuula Putus Urho M. Kujala Pentti Kalliokoski Heikki O. Tikkanen |
| author_sort | Marja Päivinen |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Respiratory symptoms are common in competitive swimmers. However, among these and in swimmers at other activity levels the swimming distance, the total spent time in swimming halls and their medical background varies. Our objectives were, first, to assess their medical histories and the associations with respiratory symptoms among swimmers in different activity groups and then second, to study the pulmonary function findings and related medications in competitive swimmers who exercise in swimming hall environments the most. Methods First, 1118 participants consisting of 133 competitive-, 734 fitness- and 251 occasional swimmers answered questionnaires concerning their medical background, their respiratory symptoms in connection to swimming distance and their amount of time spent in swimming halls. Secondly, in 130 competitive swimmers, pulmonary function was tested by spirometry and a specific questionnaire was used to assess respiratory symptoms, medical histories and prescribed medication. Results Respiratory symptoms were reported by 18% of the studied swimmers. Competitive swimmers had significantly more symptoms than fitness- and occasional swimmers. Naturally competitive swimmers swum more than 2000 m and stayed by the pool more than 90 min, longer than the other activity groups of swimmers. Spirometry testing showed airway obstruction in 15 swimmers, which was 12% of the 130 competitive swimmers. 21 of them, had physician-diagnosed asthma and 16 of these individuals had prescribed medication for it. Conclusions Competitive swimmers had the highest swimming hall exposure and reported significantly more respiratory symptoms. A high prevalence of airway obstruction findings in competitive swimmers with asthma and allergies suggests a need for future recommendations for regular testing and special medical care for competitive swimmers. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-14T18:45:19Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-e40e81ba6f914e31bb9b1150e3dc42d1 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2052-1847 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-14T18:45:19Z |
| publishDate | 2021-10-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation |
| spelling | doaj.art-e40e81ba6f914e31bb9b1150e3dc42d12022-12-21T22:51:24ZengBMCBMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation2052-18472021-10-0113111010.1186/s13102-021-00349-2Asthma, allergies and respiratory symptoms in different activity groups of swimmers exercising in swimming hallsMarja Päivinen0Kari Keskinen1Tuula Putus2Urho M. Kujala3Pentti Kalliokoski4Heikki O. Tikkanen5Department of Occupational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of TurkuFaculty of Sport and Health Sciences, University of JyväskyläDepartment of Occupational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of TurkuFaculty of Sport and Health Sciences, University of JyväskyläDepartment of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Eastern FinlandSchool of Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine/Sports and Exercise Medicine, University of Eastern FinlandAbstract Background Respiratory symptoms are common in competitive swimmers. However, among these and in swimmers at other activity levels the swimming distance, the total spent time in swimming halls and their medical background varies. Our objectives were, first, to assess their medical histories and the associations with respiratory symptoms among swimmers in different activity groups and then second, to study the pulmonary function findings and related medications in competitive swimmers who exercise in swimming hall environments the most. Methods First, 1118 participants consisting of 133 competitive-, 734 fitness- and 251 occasional swimmers answered questionnaires concerning their medical background, their respiratory symptoms in connection to swimming distance and their amount of time spent in swimming halls. Secondly, in 130 competitive swimmers, pulmonary function was tested by spirometry and a specific questionnaire was used to assess respiratory symptoms, medical histories and prescribed medication. Results Respiratory symptoms were reported by 18% of the studied swimmers. Competitive swimmers had significantly more symptoms than fitness- and occasional swimmers. Naturally competitive swimmers swum more than 2000 m and stayed by the pool more than 90 min, longer than the other activity groups of swimmers. Spirometry testing showed airway obstruction in 15 swimmers, which was 12% of the 130 competitive swimmers. 21 of them, had physician-diagnosed asthma and 16 of these individuals had prescribed medication for it. Conclusions Competitive swimmers had the highest swimming hall exposure and reported significantly more respiratory symptoms. A high prevalence of airway obstruction findings in competitive swimmers with asthma and allergies suggests a need for future recommendations for regular testing and special medical care for competitive swimmers.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13102-021-00349-2AsthmaAllergyRespiratory symptomsPulmonary functionSwimming hallsSwimming |
| spellingShingle | Marja Päivinen Kari Keskinen Tuula Putus Urho M. Kujala Pentti Kalliokoski Heikki O. Tikkanen Asthma, allergies and respiratory symptoms in different activity groups of swimmers exercising in swimming halls BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation Asthma Allergy Respiratory symptoms Pulmonary function Swimming halls Swimming |
| title | Asthma, allergies and respiratory symptoms in different activity groups of swimmers exercising in swimming halls |
| title_full | Asthma, allergies and respiratory symptoms in different activity groups of swimmers exercising in swimming halls |
| title_fullStr | Asthma, allergies and respiratory symptoms in different activity groups of swimmers exercising in swimming halls |
| title_full_unstemmed | Asthma, allergies and respiratory symptoms in different activity groups of swimmers exercising in swimming halls |
| title_short | Asthma, allergies and respiratory symptoms in different activity groups of swimmers exercising in swimming halls |
| title_sort | asthma allergies and respiratory symptoms in different activity groups of swimmers exercising in swimming halls |
| topic | Asthma Allergy Respiratory symptoms Pulmonary function Swimming halls Swimming |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13102-021-00349-2 |
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