Asthma tested at Olympics

A group of scientists are following more than 2,000 athletes during the Beijing Olympics to assess the prevalence of asthma and allergies. 

The pan-European study, which involves scientists from ten European centres, aims to assess the impact of environmental pollution on asthma symptoms and lung function, and identify athletes who may develop symptoms.

Approximately 20% of summer-sport athletes have asthma. Allergic diseases have an even higher prevalence in athletes than in the general population, however, treatment for elite athletes is often limited because of current world anti-doping regulations.

Initiated in Norway on request of the National Olympic Committee, the Global Allergy and Asthma European Network (GA2LEN) study will follow athletes and provide optimal care if needed.

The study will look at the prevalence and diagnosis rates of asthma and allergies among top athletes with regular clinical examinations measuring lung function and asthma symptoms. Allergies will be examined with a skin prick test.

In the long run, the study will contribute to a better understanding of exercise-induced asthma.

The control of asthma, which includes the ability to do normal physical activities and exercise, and even sport at Olympic level, was a focus of this year’s World Asthma Day.

Asthma is a common condition affecting around 470,000 Irish people, including one child in every five. For more information, see our Asthma Clinic at…http://www.irishhealth.com/clin/asthma/index.html

[Posted: Mon 11/08/2008]