Improvement of symptoms, FEV1 and FVC in adolescent elite swimmers during the summer break

Abstract

Introduction: Exercise induced respiratory symptoms are common among elite sports and are highly prevalent among competitive swimmers.

Aim: Our aim was to follow up swimmers during their outdoor training (OT), indoor training (IT) and after the summer break (SB) to compare the prevalence of respiratory symptoms and its correlation with spirometry.

Methods: 68 elite swimmers between 10 and 16 years old were recruited and followed up for a year. European Community Respiratory Health Survey (ECRHS) and Spirometry were performed 3 times during the year within each different period of training.

Results: The differences in the number of swimmers that had at least one positive answer in the ECRHS in between the break and each of the training periods were found to be statistically significant (p<0.001). The most frequently reported symptoms during the three training periods were: presence of wheezing or whistling (OT 44.44%, IT 29.51%, SB 10.81%) and attack of coughing (OT 44.44%, IT 44.26%, SB 10.81%). Regarding spirometry mean FVC was significantly better after the SB, 300ml better than during IT (p 0.002) and 170ml better than during OT (p 0.001). FEV1 was also significantly better after SB, 240ml better than during IT (p 0.003) and 120ml better than during OT (p 0.002).

Conclusion: Intense swimming caused worsening of pulmonary function test (FEV1 and FVC) and increased the presence of symptoms which is partially recovered after discontinuing training for four weeks during the SB.