Prevalence of exercise-induced bronchospasm in national hockey players of Pakistan.

OBJECTIVE To determine prevalence of Exercise-induced Bronchospasm (EIB) in hockey players, who had represented or were aspiring to represent Pakistan at international level. METHOD An observational, cross-sectional study was done on the prevalence of EIB in national hockey players of Pakistan. All participants of the training camp (n = 27) players were included in this study, after obtaining permission from the Pakistan Hockey Federation. An acquaintance session was conducted to introduce the study, and for the correct recording of Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF) rate. On field-testing day, pulse and PEF rates were measured first without any exercise and warm up (pre-exercise PEF rate). After competitive 6 minute (6-min) field free running, pulse rate was measured to ensure that players heart rate has reached 70% of the predicted maximum heart rate. PEF and pulse rates were measured at 5-min, 15-min and 30-min post exercise. A player was considered EIB positive based on a post exercise decrement in PEF rate > or = 15% at any defined point of time. RESULTS Twenty-seven players participated in our study out of which 5 players (19%) had EIB. CONCLUSION Our findings indicate that a significant number of cases of EIB exist among national field hockey players. We suggest that active screening for EIB should be made part of training sessions, so that performance of players could be enhanced. Diagnosed cases should be treated as per the guidelines laid down by International Olympic Committee Medical Commission.