Prevalence of EIB in Young Athletes
In the general population, the EIB frequency is estimated at 5-20%, in
children at 3-35%. The prevalence among adult elite athletes is higher,
especially those at the Olympic-level (30-70%). These discrepancies may
be due to the type of practiced sport, exposure to air pollution and
allergens and maximum exercise intensity achieved, which may vary
depending on the sport season17.
Prevalence of EIB among young competitors is underestimated, but a few
studies report that the incidence of EIB in this group varies from 12%
to 38%. Jonckheere AC reports the prevalence of EIB in 33.3% swimmers,
27.3% basketball and 12.8% football players18. Among
young high school and college athletes in Mexico City, the EIB frequency
was set at 7.2%, no differences between male and female sex were
observed. Ventura et al. indicated a frequency of self-reported EIB
symptoms in young soccer players at 5.1%19. On the
contrary, Bougault et al. reported 16% of EIB in young soccer players.
Among the undiagnosed young athletes suspected of EIB, the incidence was
29%20.
A high, 42.9% EIB prevalence was demonstrated in young weightlifters.
Authors claim that EIB is usually associated with sports provoking
elevated minute ventilation, but in this case repetitive Valsalva
maneuvers may be a risk factor in EIB diagnosis.