Expiratory Flow Limitation in Elite, Adolescent Cyclists
Faculty Advisor Name
Dr. Stephanie P. Kurti
Department
Department of Kinesiology
Description
Expiratory flow limitation (EFL) has been reported in pre-pubescent adolescents and elite endurance athletes; however, the occurrence of EFL in elite adolescent endurance athletes has not been determined. Purpose: To determine incidence and severity of EFL in elite adolescent male cyclists. Methods: Seven elite adolescent male cyclists (16.4±1.1 years; 174.0±3.1 cm; 59.8±2.4 kg) completed an incremental test to exhaustion to determine peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak) on a cycle ergometer. Arterial oxygen saturation (SpO2) and dyspnea were assessed at the end of each stage. Subjects performed maximal flow volume loops pre- and post- exercise to assess forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1-second (FEV1), FEV1/FVC, forced expiratory flow between 25-75% of FVC (FEF25-75%) and peak expiratory flow (PEF). The occurrence and severity of EFL was quantified as the percentage of the tidal volume that overlapped with the maximum flow volume loop. Results: The elite adolescents peak O2 consumption was 71.3±9.6 mL/kg/min. The average peak power and peak ventilation were 360.7±40.5 watts and 155.5±18.2 L/min, respectively. At VO2peak, six of the seven subjects exhibited significant EFL with only one subject exhibiting EFL at 80% of VO2peak (p<0.001). The mean EFL severity was 64.3±34.6%, with a range of severity from 36.4-93.0%. There was no significant change in pulmonary function from pre- to post-exercise in FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC, FEF25-75%, or PEF. The elite male cyclists also showed a significant reduction in SpO2 (84.7±7.8%) and increased dyspnea rating at peak exercise (8.8±0.8), ps<0.01). Conclusions: Elite adolescent male cyclists have a high occurrence of and severity of EFL at maximal exercise, which may limit exercise tolerance.
Expiratory Flow Limitation in Elite, Adolescent Cyclists
Expiratory flow limitation (EFL) has been reported in pre-pubescent adolescents and elite endurance athletes; however, the occurrence of EFL in elite adolescent endurance athletes has not been determined. Purpose: To determine incidence and severity of EFL in elite adolescent male cyclists. Methods: Seven elite adolescent male cyclists (16.4±1.1 years; 174.0±3.1 cm; 59.8±2.4 kg) completed an incremental test to exhaustion to determine peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak) on a cycle ergometer. Arterial oxygen saturation (SpO2) and dyspnea were assessed at the end of each stage. Subjects performed maximal flow volume loops pre- and post- exercise to assess forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1-second (FEV1), FEV1/FVC, forced expiratory flow between 25-75% of FVC (FEF25-75%) and peak expiratory flow (PEF). The occurrence and severity of EFL was quantified as the percentage of the tidal volume that overlapped with the maximum flow volume loop. Results: The elite adolescents peak O2 consumption was 71.3±9.6 mL/kg/min. The average peak power and peak ventilation were 360.7±40.5 watts and 155.5±18.2 L/min, respectively. At VO2peak, six of the seven subjects exhibited significant EFL with only one subject exhibiting EFL at 80% of VO2peak (p<0.001). The mean EFL severity was 64.3±34.6%, with a range of severity from 36.4-93.0%. There was no significant change in pulmonary function from pre- to post-exercise in FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC, FEF25-75%, or PEF. The elite male cyclists also showed a significant reduction in SpO2 (84.7±7.8%) and increased dyspnea rating at peak exercise (8.8±0.8), ps<0.01). Conclusions: Elite adolescent male cyclists have a high occurrence of and severity of EFL at maximal exercise, which may limit exercise tolerance.
