Exercise-Induced Dyspnea in Collegiate Athletes: Are We Missing the Diagnosis?

Abstract

Objectives: Exercise-induced dyspnea (EID) can disrupt an athlete's participation and performance in their given sport. Differential diagnosis of EID is often completed using subjective report and may be inaccurate, therefore increasing the frustration and stress of the athlete. This nonexperimental research study was used to determine prevalence of EID and related respiratory symptoms in athletes at a small, Division I university.

Methods: An anonymous survey was provided to athletes at Murray State University as they registered for participation in sports for the 2020-2021 school year. Data from this survey was analyzed as to reported physician-given diagnosis of a respiratory disorder as well as reported symptoms of EID.

Results: Results showed that athletes with a physician-given diagnosis often did not report symptoms or responses to medications that support that diagnosis. Additionally, athletes frequently reported symptoms of EID without a formal diagnosis of a respiratory disorder.

Conclusions: These findings provide preliminary insight and pilot data that may be used to understand the prevalence of EID in collegiate athletes and the need for improved methods of diagnosis for etiologies of EID.

Keywords: Athlete; Breathlessness; Exercise-induced asthma; Exercise-induced bronchoconstriction; Exercise-induced dyspnea; Exercise-induced laryngeal obstruction.