A1 Journal article (refereed)
Cross-country skiers often experience respiratory symptoms during and after exercise but have a low prevalence of prolonged cough (2023)


Mäki-Heikkilä, R., Koskela, H., Karjalainen, J., Parkkari, J., Huhtala, H., Valtonen, M., & Lehtimäki, L. (2023). Cross-country skiers often experience respiratory symptoms during and after exercise but have a low prevalence of prolonged cough. BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine, 9(2), e001502. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjsem-2022-001502


JYU authors or editors


Publication details

All authors or editors: Mäki-Heikkilä, Rikhard; Koskela, Heikki; Karjalainen, Jussi; Parkkari, Jari; Huhtala, Heini; Valtonen, Maarit; Lehtimäki, Lauri

Journal or series: BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine

eISSN: 2055-7647

Publication year: 2023

Volume: 9

Issue number: 2

Pages range: e001502

Publisher: BMJ

Publication country: United Kingdom

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjsem-2022-001502

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Open Access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/87818


Abstract

Background Cross-country skiers train and compete during the winter for long periods of time in subfreezing conditions, which strains the airways and provokes respiratory symptoms. This study aimed to compare the prevalence of exercise-related symptoms and prolonged cough in competitive cross-country skiers versus the general population and to investigate the association between these symptoms and asthma.

Methods A questionnaire was sent to Finnish cross-country skiers (n=1282) and a random sample of the general population (n=1754), with response rates of 26.9% and 19.0%, respectively.

Results Both groups were mostly asymptomatic at rest, but symptoms were increased in both groups during and after exercise. Cough was more prevalent after exercise in skiers and phlegm production was more common during and after exercise in skiers. Asthma did not provoke specific symptoms, but symptom prevalence was higher in asthmatic individuals. Skiers had a higher prevalence of cough after exercise (60.6% vs 22.8%, p<0.001) compared with controls, but controls had a higher prevalence of prolonged cough (4.1% vs 9.6%, p=0.004). In participants without asthma, cold air triggered symptoms more often in skiers than controls, while strong odours triggered symptoms more often in asthmatic controls than skiers. Chronic cough lasting more than 8 weeks was rare, reported by 4.8% of controls and 2.0% of skiers.

Conclusion Cross-country skiers, especially those with asthma, experience a higher burden of exercise-related respiratory symptoms compared with controls. However, repeated exposure to cold air does not appear to result in long-term hypersensitivity of the cough reflex arc.


Keywords: skiing; skiers; asthma; cough; exercises


Contributing organizations


Ministry reporting: Yes

Reporting Year: 2023

JUFO rating: 1


Last updated on 2024-15-05 at 13:13