Exercise-induced whole-body dehydration does not affect airway responsiveness in athletes but may impair small airway function

Abstract

Exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) is the transient narrowing of the airways that occurs during or shortly after strenuous exercise. Loss of water from the airway surface, due to the conditioning of large volumes of air during exercise, is the main physiological stimulus for EIB. We proposed that exercise-induced whole-body dehydration would interfere with hydration of the airways and, consequently, increase the risk and/or severity of EIB. We also investigated the effects of whole-body dehydration on resting lung function.