OBJECTIVE: To document the changes in respiratory function seen in competitors during a typical wilderness multisport endurance event. METHODS: A prospective observational cohort study measuring forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) at baseline, midrace, and end of race in competitors in a 105-km ski/run/cycle/paddle race held midwinter in the mountains of Victoria, Australia. RESULTS: Twenty-five adult subjects (22 men) between 20 and 42 years of age were studied. The mean decline in FEV1 was 15.1% (95% CI 10.3-19.8) and for FVC was 13.0% (95% CI 8.1-17.9). Fourteen (56%) of the 25 subjects had a >10% decline in FEV1 and FVC, and 7 (28%) of the 25 subjects had a >20% decline. In 9 control subjects, aged between 21 and 55 years, there was no significant change in FEV1 or FVC from prerace to end of race. CONCLUSIONS: Significant declines in FEV1 and FVC are common during wilderness multisport endurance events. The focus of future research should be the etiology, which as yet remains speculative.
OBJECTIVE: To document the changes in respiratory function seen in competitors during a typical wilderness multisport endurance event. METHODS: A prospective observational cohort study measuring forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) at baseline, midrace, and end of race in competitors in a 105-km ski/run/cycle/paddle race held midwinter in the mountains of Victoria, Australia. RESULTS: Twenty-five adult subjects (22 men) between 20 and 42 years of age were studied. The mean decline in FEV1 was 15.1% (95% CI 10.3-19.8) and for FVC was 13.0% (95% CI 8.1-17.9). Fourteen (56%) of the 25 subjects had a >10% decline in FEV1 and FVC, and 7 (28%) of the 25 subjects had a >20% decline. In 9 control subjects, aged between 21 and 55 years, there was no significant change in FEV1 or FVC from prerace to end of race. CONCLUSIONS: Significant declines in FEV1 and FVC are common during wilderness multisport endurance events. The focus of future research should be the etiology, which as yet remains speculative.
Authors: Martin D Hoffman; Andy Pasternak; Ian R Rogers; Morteza Khodaee; John C Hill; David A Townes; Bernd Volker Scheer; Brian J Krabak; Patrick Basset; Grant S Lipman Journal: Sports Med Date: 2014-08 Impact factor: 11.136