Internal Medicine, University

Exercise induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) describes the acute transient airway narrowing that occurs during and most often after exercise, and is prevalent in elite athletes. Prolonged hyperventilation of dry or cold air and increased inhalation of pollutants or allergens could account for the bronchoconstrictive reaction. The sub-sequent airway inflammation seems to differ from typical asthma. Objective measures of lung function and provocation tests should be used for an accurate and reliable diagnosis. EIB is currently treated with inhalation of b2-agonists or, as second choice, sodium cromoglycate approximately 15 min before exercise. If this proves to be insufficient then inhaled steroids should be added. Leukotriene receptor antagonists can be used in patients whose symptoms do not respond to inhaled steroids. The screening of high risk populations such as swimmers, cyclists, rowers and winter athletes is recommended by some authors. Drug doping regulations and practical recommendations for competitive athletes and their health care providers are explained. Exercise induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) and exercise induced asthma (EIA) are terms used to describe a bronchoconstriction following1 or dur-ing2 exercise in susceptible persons. In objective terms, EIB and EIA are defined as a decrease of.10 % of the forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) after an exercise challenge.