title: Airway dysfunction in swimmers.
abstract: Elite competitive swimmers are particularly affected by airway disorders that are probably related to regular and intense training sessions in a chlorinated environment. Upper and lower airway respiratory symptoms, rhinitis, airway hyper-responsiveness, and exercise-induced bronchoconstriction are highly prevalent in these athletes, but their influence on athletic performance is still unclear. The authors reviewed the main upper and lower respiratory ailments observed in competitive swimmers who train in indoor swimming pools, their pathophysiology, clinical significance and possible effects on performance. Issues regarding the screening of these disorders, their management and preventive measures are addressed.
authors.affiliation: Université Droit et Santé de Lille, Lille, France. valerie.bougault@univ-lille2.fr
authors.forename: Valérie
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Bougault
authors.forename: Louis-Philippe
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Boulet
mesh_terms: D056151:Airway Remodeling / Q000502:physiology; D001249:Asthma / Q000209:etiology; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology; D001982:Bronchial Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D001991:Bronchitis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D016084:Bronchoconstriction / Q000502:physiology; D002713:Chlorine / Q000633:toxicity; D003251:Constriction, Pathologic / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D004202:Disinfectants / Q000009:adverse effects; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D020545:Respiratory Mucosa; D012220:Rhinitis / Q000209:etiology; D013550:Swimming / Q000502:physiology*; D013551:Swimming Pools
chemical_list: D004202:Disinfectants; D002713:Chlorine