Exercise-induced Bronchoconstriction in Winter Sports Athletes—Risk,Diagnosis,and Treatment

This study reviewed and summarized the risk, diagnostic method and treatment strategies of exercise-induced bronchoconstriction(EIB) in winter sports athletes. It was showed that the dry and cold environment and air pollutants are the key factors for the high prevalence of EIB in winter sports; the high intensity, long exercise time and duration are important reasons for the difference in the prevalence of EIB among winter events. In addition, the relatively small airway structure and menstrual hormone secretion of female athletes induced a higher risk of EIB than that of male athletes. At present, the International Olympic Committee(IOC) and the World Anti-doping Agency has recommended EIB diagnostic methods for athletes, including histamine challenge, methacholine provocative test, exercise challenge test(ECT), eucapnic voluntary hyperpnea(EVH), hyperosmolar aerosol test and mannitol provocation test. Among them, the ECT test was wildly used in professional sports teams, and the EVH has the best accuracy. After the diagnosis of EIB, short-term use of Beta-2 Agonists or long-term use of Corticosteroids are the main approaches of pharmacological treatment. Some non-pharmacological methods, such as pre-race warm-up, wearing protective equipment, and adjusting diet structure, can significantly reduce the incidence of EIB as well. This article suggests that the diagnosis of EIB in outstanding winter sports athletes in China should carry out as early as possible, and thus to gradually establish the EIB diagnosis, treatment and prevention system for winter sports athletes in China.