Exercise Enduced Asthma Study

The study was performed to determine whether there is a correlation between athletes with asthma and several factors including gender, weight, primary sport, and home location. The study also investigates the possibility of a stigma associated with asthma in the sports world that prevents diagnosis and treatment. Approximately 500 athletes were required to fill out surveys as part of their annual physicals. Athletes were asked six questions concerning asthma symptoms. They were asked if they had symptoms such as chest tightness, coughing, wheezing, fatigue, or shortness of breath. Demographic information was also collected. Gender (p= 0.0444), school (p =0.0002), and sport (p= 0.0036) have a significant relationship to the responses to the asthma questions. Female athletes were 8% more likely to respond positively than male athletes. Approximately 23% of football players reported positive responses contrasted with 44% of soccer players. Athletes at one school were 7% more likely to respond positively than athletes at a second school. A high percentage of athletes reporting potential symptoms of asthma are not currently receiving treatment (35% overall). Based on the results, athletes were referred for follow-up and treatment